From your dad Ellen To Ellen And David on their wedding day 2026-04-04
	An amazing function of a Swedish modern wedding like this is in re-commitment … re-confirmation – re-acknowledgement of the most beautiful aspect of our lives. Love is not static .. it is dynamic .. developing .. adjusting … that is why re-commitment is so important long term. It doesn’t demand a celebration – sometimes just a thought or word. For instance, the last time I was with my dad (2008) . We had spent the day together with him in his care home. When we had said good-bye as I was leaving to return to Sweden, I lost his focus completely, his focus was completely on my mom and the kiss he was hoping to give her. When I heard that smack, I felt a purpose in my heart – If my kids only remember one thing when I’m gone, I hope it is that I loved their mother as my dad loved my mother. I made a recommitment that moment! I’ve got that said
	Ellen, it has been an honour to walk you down the isle in the church today --- and it is an honour to get to say a few words to you at this your wedding reception. But just so it gets said -- and this applies to all our 6 children, I regard it the greatest honour just to bear the title as your 'dad' ever since your birth. Age has diminished much in my life and capacity … but the honor I feel just to be my children’s father has only grown. Next thing
	The insinuation that I would 'turn you over" to David is only symbolic ... and lacks the slightest connection to reality ... We all know, including David, it has been a long time since I have made any of Ellens major decisions. Ellen, You have had full charge and ownership over your own life for a very long time now. We are proud of you for that. Without distancing yourself from us as your parents, you moved into your own apartment in Trollhättan at 16 and pretty much have surfed on your own waves all around the world since then. We have tried to help you over some of the bumps in the road …  but it’s been your road, and you have traveled it well!
	A link to "I loved her first" But of course ... there were years when we made all the choices for you --- also a wonderful time in our memory with many wonderful moments. Whether or not our choices were right or wrong, somewhere along the line we must have done something right -- because here we are today. Being parents we have learned things that not everyone sees!
	Here is a text message from David that Mireille saved from a few years ago _ Translation David wrote -- Thought I would ask for your daughters hand while we are her. If it is OK with you! Mireille wrote … O We are so tankful that you are part of our family. You will make her happy .. But we also will be so glad. I wrote … For sure … We are very interested in Ellens well being .. Both now and for the future, We are convinced you are the best thing that has happened to her. .. We are so thankful.
	David and Ellen you have built up a wonderful life … and you have done it on your own merits …We are proud of you for this   but I want you to consider that you both have roots that go deeper than yourselves. You both have legacy that has left it tracks in your DNA … maybe in the unseen, given you values and models that helped you over some humps in your road. Maybe have been part of the unexplained inspiration sometimes to try a little harder when it could make a difference.
	For instance this amazing woman. My grandchildren’s, great, great grandmother, a wonderful example of succeeding to build and rebuild a most worthy life - time after time.  First as a small child relocated by the injustice of war from the Karelen to northern Finland --- then as a youth relocating further south and rebuilding her own life and family … then once again relocating to Lilla Edet in Sweden where much of what we enjoy today was put together – now more recently relocated here to Trollhättan where she has again built up a life that means so much to us --- a major care giver to our grandchildren!! 'Mommi' we know how much you mean to Sam and Leia -- and we also know how many weeks you were without your own car last winter because Ellen had borrowed it!  We love you for all these things and many more.
	One of my favorite pictures- All our grandchildren have birthdays … and these birthday give us the privilege of getting to know “the other side” -- It was my privilege to get to know grandpa and grandma Johansson this way. First, I was impressed by the statistics .. 95 years old .. married 72 years .. drove to the birthday in his own car. But as I became acquainted, he gave me the honor of sharing his life story. A number of times this last year. Much was impressive, but he always started by telling of as a young teenager waiting on the market square in Vänersborg for the bus with young forks and girls from Vargön—that was the beginning of his amazing life with Ingvor ..
	About the time I was born or a little earlier, a lovely teenage girl lived in this house in Vargön in at the foot of the Halleberg mountain. (our daughter Eleanore and family live at the foot of this same mountain today just a few km down the road) I can guess that she was quite pretty, vibrant and full of life --- I can imagine her after school on Friday or Saturday planning to take the bus with her friends to Vänersborg for the evening hoping to have a good time --- to enjoy being noticed and admired and appreciated – and to notice and appreciate those she would happen to meet.. She would have no idea then where those hopes and dreams would lead ---- but today 80 years later .. We know- and we are thankful for those teenage dreams. They have led us here today.
	Ingvor now looking out over lake Vännern .. looking back on a most wonderful and long life.
	David and Ellen, When grandma and grandpa Johansson were your age they had a little family like yours that I’m sure they loved them as you love Sam and Leija …. What they didn’t know then was that they had 60 years together ahead of them to develop and enrich their life and family. That is our hope for you. But 60 years together isn’t automatic .. health isn’t the only threat, Like Bruce Springsten said in a song “But you and I know what this world can do” _________________________________________________________________________________________ When Bruce Springsten and Patty had been married 13 years (20 years ago) … Bruce booked a plane ticket to Dublin Ireland .. along with 18 of his best musicians (and likely just as many support folks) for a performance where they sang a song together that I feel is significant for us all. It is a song that Bruce wrote himself. I think it is significant today Please listen it out.
	Bruce Springsteen with the Sessions Band - If I Should Fall Behind (Live In Dublin)
	Ken and I have a little gift to you   …  It is an honor to share the name Massey with you David