Saying Yes to the Dress

I'm getting married in October.  I first fell in love with Mark when I was 15 and he was 18.  Now 38 years later, here we are taking the plunge into matrimony.  With that comes planning a wedding.  My first marriage was a lovely ceremony of 4. It was exactly what I wanted.  This time around I want a wedding.  What I don't understand is why?

You see as a little girl I never dreamed of my wedding.  I never saw myself as a bride much less a gown.  I found it all just stupid and a waste of money.  In fact , well into my 40s I even hated going to weddings.  The only thing worse for me was a baby shower!  I still remember the Saturday about 10 years ago when I had to go to both on the same day!  Let's say a lot of wine was consumed at the reception.  To be honest, I just don't think I'm a sentimental kind of gal  when it comes to these time honored traditions.

And then something changed!  When I got my dissolution and moved into my apartment, I started to  watch "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC.  In fact, my neighbor Ashley, Bear-Bear (her Newfie) and I would spend Friday nights watching hours of SYTTD, drinking wine and embroidering/knitting. I have no idea why?!?!?! I wasn't seeing anyone much less looking to get married again.  We would sit and laminate about our single hood woes and drink more wine.

Fast forward:  Well, this Monday all of those episodes came in handy.  When my vacation to Europe got cancelled, I decided to use the opportunity to going dress shopping. (See blogpost Teachable Moments)  I had extra money to spend and the time off.  I assembled my posse:  June, my future mother-in-law; Toni, my friend and wedding officiant; and Shelly, one of 3 bridesmaids. Off we went to Universe Bridal and Prom in West Lafayette, Ohio.

It was crazy!  We met with Michelle our personal bridal aficionado!  She gave us the lay of the land and sent us off into one of many wedding dress rooms!  Now you would think a self proclaimed SYTTD junkie would know exactly what she wanted!  Oh hell no!  I had no idea other than I want to look good and I want to take his breath away when I walked down the aisle.  As I stood in the sea of ivory, I started to have an anxiety attack!  I felt as if I was being suffocated by miles of tulle, lace and organza!  I finally looked at my posse and said, "Girls, pick 3-4 choices each!  I can't do this!"  Those girls went to work!  Next thing I knew, I had about 15 dresses to try on.

Now girls, listen up.  Trying on dresses requires Herculean strength!  Some of those dresses weigh pounds!  And let's be honest, plus size dresses have to be heavier because there's more fabulousness to cover! At one point I thought I may have torn my rotartor's cuff!  Ouchy!  And then there was the unfortunate trapped in the dress situation!  Ladies, if you find yourselves dress shopping, please be sure to check the size of the dress you are putting on before sliding it over your head!  If you're trying to squeeze your size 16 body into a size 12 dress, it's going to  go all bad!  It caused me to have a second anxiety attack when I couldn't disengage from it!  I thought I was going to live that damn dress for the rest of my life!  Thank goodness for Shelly!  She came to my rescue and freed me from my prison.  Unfortunately poor Shelly will never be able to unseen what she saw in order to release me from the sea of organza!

After many auditions, THE dress appeared.  I put it on and it was the front runner.  But it was missing something!  So, my Randy/Monte, Michelle, "jacked me up" her style.  She brought me a blinged out belt and tied it on.  She turned me around and it happened.  The aha moment happened.  The skies opened up and the angels began to sing.  I had found the dress!  And then the most freaky thing happened!  I cried!   Say what??!?!?!  I just stood there and was flabbergasted!  I just had this feeling that overcame me and all I could think of was Mark.  I don't know if it was the realization that I am actually going to marry the love of my life.  Or if menopause has turned me into a hormonal mess!  What I do know is that I had a wonderful time and I can't wait until October!

So, the moral of this story is that no matter how old you are you can still find the love of your life.  When that love comes along your whole out look on life changes.  Now I'm dreaming of that wedding that I never knew I would ever want.  May be because I'm older, I can live in the moment and enjoy it more.  I look forward to all of the decisions coming my way!

Make Everyday Count....
Denise