If you're a regular contributor to this site, you've probably heard tales (or at the very least seen pictures) of a Star Wars wedding. Two fans who share a passion for the GFFA devoting themselves to one another for life. Many times the ceremonies are marked by costumes and action figures atop the wedding cake, all of which add to the festive atmosphere. Well, today I experienced a significant moment in my life, and while neither marriage nor masks were involved, Star Wars did play a part.

When I wed my lovely wife nearly two years ago, her daughter from a previous marriage became a part of my "instant family." To be honest there wasn't much of an adjustment period. We became fast friends, and the traditional parent-child relationship soon followed. I introduced her to Star Wars early on, and she's been a devoted fan ever since. He first real Halloween was spent as Darth Vader, and she proudly wears a Sith Lord winter ensemble sent to her by a dear friend in England (even in the Florida summertime heat). She also bought a Boba Fett M&M plush so she could share it with daddy, because she knows how much he likes him. In short, the Star Wars Universe represents one of the first real bonds shared this father and his daughter.

Onto the main point of this entry. Today we completed adoption proceedings, and my daughter has finally taken my name as her own. It's a day of celebration for us, and one that we've been looking forward to for quite some time. Given our shared love for Star Wars, I felt that it was more than appropriate for me to utter a few words before we left the courthouse:

"Ni kyr'tayl gai sa'ad."

I know your name as my daughter.

As many of you already know, the gai bal manda is the Mandalorian adoption ceremony. Being a "Fandalorian" as we're sometimes called, I thought that my daughter might one day get a kick out the fact that her old man interjected some Star Wars into her special day. If nothing else she'll have something to tease her ubergeek old man about when she hits those teen years. Fun and games aside, I honestly hope that she'll be as strong and picky as a Mando woman when it comes to selecting potential mates in the future. Otherwise daddy will go on the hunt, and I happen to like disentegrations.

Thanks for reading and sharing in our celebration.

Very Respectfully,

Darth Vadere