The Dress

Lena found The Dress today!   What fun it was to be there as she tried on various styles, culling down to what would become The Dress.  I wouldn’t have traded that experience for anything. 

I was so honored to be there with this “second daughter” of mine.  I am not her biological mother, but in many ways our closeness couldn’t be more Mother & Daughter.  She is also best friend to my daughter and the sister neither of them had.   As a mom I have plenty of extra advice, comments, suggestions and in this case lots of ooohs and aaaahs, and Lena wanted to hear it all. 

Lena is beautiful, very smart and knows what she wants, often to the point of stubbornness.  But she is usually right.  And when it comes to trying on wedding dresses, it is critical to know what you want or you’ll spend hours and hours just trying to decide on a style.  She had decided on the simple but elegant approach – no poofy, no lace, no excessive beads or jewels, and good heavens don’t even think of putting a flower or fish netting anywhere near her!  It had to be fitted not full, not traditional A-line, not too exposing of the bosom, the perfect white, and the perfect alignment of the bodice with that tiny, tiny waist. 

On to the fitting room, where I fastened each dress and then retrieved it for the assistant to hang up.  One hook for “possibles”, one for “no way will I wear that.”  Several of the styles suited her, and there were two very nice ones that she was beginning to think she would have a hard time choosing between.  And then she donned The Dress.

The Dress was gorgeous, elegantly flattering, the perfect cut and flow.  The gathering beneath the bodice was worked to perfection, creating an illusion of an even smaller waist, gracing the hips perfectly letting the romantic chiffon panels flow down softly to the floor.  As she stepped and turned, the panels slightly parted to reveal smooth satin underneath the outer material.  She traded the single, flowered strap for two simple spaghetti straps and voila – the perfect dress for her destination beach wedding.   You know it’s The Dress when you simply don’t want to take it off.  Ever.

Lena is going to be a beautiful bride.  And I will be there to see her say “I Do” in that gorgeous gown.   Probably with a tissue to catch happy-tears.