It’s the magical moment we dream of as mothers. From the time our baby girl is born, we imagine the far-off day when we’ll see her in a wedding dress. Not to wish away the years, but to embrace her future and share in her joy.
Yesterday, I saw my daughter in a wedding dress for the very first time. Oh my.
Charlotte and Ryan got engaged last week, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. They are the most beautiful, brilliant couple you could ever imagine and after much squealing (the ring, the ring), we are now down to business.
Charlotte is only home for about 6 more weeks, and in that time we have some serious planning to do for the destination wedding in Montreal next spring. The most exciting aspect for mother and daughter (I think) is the wedding dress. It’s the springboard for the whole wedding, dictating style, formality, flower choices, bridesmaids, cake, blah blah blah. It’s a biggie.
And quite frankly, the first question everyone asks after a wedding is, “What was her dress like?” Sorry, Ryan, nobody will be too concerned about your garb. Although we know you’ll be your usual debonair self…
Here’s the happy couple at their high school graduation 3 years ago:
How cute are they? Sigh.
I’m pretty sure I was only just picking out a baby dedication dress for her, and a toddler sailor dress, and a ballet recital dress, and a graduation dress. All these have been in preparation for this moment…
Oh the dress. Oh the pressure.
I’ll admit, I was a tad nervous we would be disappointed and not find anything quite perfect enough on our first visit to the bridal store. I was worried we would be overwhelmed and the experience might not live up to the one I had built in my overactive imagination these past 20 years or so.
In reality, it blew my dreams out of the water. The very first dress Charlotte tried on, I burst into tears. And I’m not a crier. The billowing, satin curtains were pulled back to reveal the most gorgeous vision I have ever seen. On a pedestal, in a stunning gown of white, my daughter took my breath away. My little girl. All grown up.
Now I don’t know if that will actually be “the one” she decides on ultimately, (she looks utterly beautiful in every one so far!) but it’s certainly a very real contender, and if there is another even more perfect version, my heart might actually stop. But that image of my daughter will stay with me forever. I have never been more proud, more delighted, more overcome with gratitude to the One who has blessed me with this child, this bride-to-be.
Brace yourself, dear reader-friend, because I have a wedding to plan, and the next 10 months are going to be a roller coaster of emotions and decisions and ridiculous fun, and you get to come along for the ride! Buckle up.
Dreaming of dresses and wishing you a fabulous Friday,
