Daddy Daughter Day

So, this morning I went to the temple by myself.  Robert and I did not find a babysitter so we had to tag team going to the temple.
I left just after 9:30 to try and make it to the 10:00 session in the temple and I pulled into my parking spot at 9:56.  I knew I would not be making the session.  All morning it had been hanging around my thoughts the idea of doing sealings.  I thought about it, but that seemed a little odd because Robert was not coming with me.  I had missed the session and had left Robert at home with the girls.  He was expecting me to be done around noon so I didn't feel like I should wait for the 11:00 session.  Since Jasmin has been born we most often do other work rather than a seession because it is quicker and I am nursing Jasmin so 3 hours away from her was almost too long for a babysitter.  (She is old enough now that we are going to start doing sessions again.)  So, as I was walking to the locker room I looked in the chapel and sure enough those who were attending the 10:00 session had already left.  I asked the lady if they were holding or waiting for anyone and she said "no."  She then proceeded to tell me about doing sealing and how it all worked.  I have done them before, so this was all review to me, but I know now why she went through the whole spiel with me.  It is because it was where I needed to be.  Doing sealing. I began to think that doing sealing was symbolic because I was headed to the temple to be closer to my dad today and through the temple is what makes him my DAD for eternity. 
I walked in the area designated to wait to be assigned a place to go and there was 1 couple and 3 other ladies waiting.  Of course, I thought, not enough men.  They took us into the sealing room and we were going to seal daughter to there families because that was the only option.  As I wait I think of so many things.  I thought about who I was, how lucky I am to have been born in the covenant, thankful for my dad and all he did to make me worthy to be in the temple, his example, and so many other things.  I kept thinking I was going to "see" him or feel him or have an exciting experience, but it was just some feeling and peace that I felt.  I was in the right place, where I needed to be at that time.  As I went to be proxy for several daughter I looked in the mirrors and wished somehow I would magically see my dad and mom in those mirrors and me being myself.  I did not.  I did however get to see a nice couple who were the proxies for the parents and I imagined that it is was my dad and mom.  That I am sure was just as comforting and special.   Really, it was wondering!
I never really had to the chance to doddle in the temple.  I was able to sit in the celestial room for about 30 minutes and that was great.   I don't remember where I was when these exact thoughts came to me, but here they are.  I figured that I was a daughter and in the temple that day I was celebrating my identity as a daughter, both earthy and heavenly.  I then thought that is what I should/want to do to honor my dad.  One of the things I loved most about him was that relationship I had with him.  He was my dad and I was his daughter!  So, I then decided that March 3rd will always be Daddy Daughter Day in my family.  I thought and thought about it and it just seemed to so right.  (I had before had a conversation with other about what I was going to do when the 1 year mark of his passing came and I did not know how or what I would do.  I didn't know how I would feel or if I would feel any different.  I know now.)  Another thing I thought was, "Is it bad if I don't miss my dad?"  No it is not bad.  With the knowledge that I have I don't feel that I have lost anything.  Maybe as more time goes by I will being missing him, but for right now I have not noticed a change.   Then I took my time changing and coming out. 
The rest of the day went great.  I waited for Robert and the girls to join me at the visitors center and we watched a bunch of movies there.  We all enjoyed that!  Then we went to lunch.  After lunch Robert went to the temple.  He was happy and embraced my new tribute to my dad.  He is right now on his date with Kenya getting ice cream.  What an amazing man he is! 
As I think about this new tradition in my life there is nothing but good that comes from it.  I will go to the temple to honor my identity as a daughter both here on earth and in heaven by preforming sealings when I am able.  All of my daughter will get a special date with Dad!  It is going to be wonderful!  As I think about it just keeps getting better.  I am going to get some alone time if ever needed to cry or mourn. 
Thanks to my Heavenly Father and my father here on earth, Donald James Evans, for all that you have and will do for me.  You are so very important to me and I try every day to make you proud!!