Wedding Dress Story

So this is the story of my wedding dress. I made plans to try on dresses at David's Bridal on Saturday, January 19 for the first time. Since I had never tried on dresses, I pessimistically assumed this would be the start of a long, drawn-out process. I picked up Sydney, my old roomie and long-time friend, and met Brent's family at the store in Roseville for a 3 pm appointment.

The store was crowded but once we were shown our area we were all much more at ease. We luckily got a corner location that allowed the 6 of us to spread out a bit and be comfortable. All except for Sydney and I who were hard at work getting in and out of the sometimes cumbersome dresses...!

After being embarrassed getting sized, the dresses started pouring in. The women favored the embellished dresses with bead work, trains, and little extras. I put many dresses on that we lovely but not me. I couldn't imagine wearing a dress that felt like a production to my small, outdoor wedding.

I kept seeing this ribbon, bell shaped dress out of the corner of my eye and after trying 10 different dresses on, asked if that came in my size. I had never noticed the dress in the catalogue or online... but it looked lovely hanging on the rack. They only had a size larger so I tried it on and was able to twist it around my body it was so big! But I loved it.

It was the only dress that made me feel emotional, like that was the one. It was simple and elegant. It didn't feel like a fuss. Needless to say, I wanted the dress. I found out the dress has been discontinued in "Women's" sizes so I couldn't just order it. My heart fell.

Since we were all getting tired, I decided to call it a day and go out to dinner where I continued to think about the ribbon dress. Sheri said it was Sue's favorite, and it was Syd's favorite because she saw my reaction to it. Sheri, Angie, and Jessie thought a different dress suited my figure more.

The next morning I called the other stores in the metro area to see what they had. I made an appointment in Richfield on Monday night after work to see if a size smaller or a large petite cut would work. All day I thought of the dress.

I arrived at David's Bridal with my friend Sugantha with a feeling a dread. I told her what dress I wanted and they only had one left, in a size too small. So now there was only one chance for this to work. By this time, I had convinced myself to just buy the dress and lose weight if it were doable. So when Sugantha pulled up the zipper with no trouble- I knew it was fate.

I purchased my bell dress that makes me feel like a princess with cash money (as daddy says) and am so grateful. If I lose 10-15 lbs it will be more comfortable, but it is not necessary.

So the story of my dress is this- I saw it out of the corner of my eye, searched for it, and now have it in my possession. All in 3 days.

Sometimes you just know.

Fun Christmas pictures a little late in coming...

Brent being silly...

Sheri with Roger (our gift to baby Ashley)

Ashley and Jessica with their matching robes...

Piano lessons with Sue...

Winter picture of the engaged couple...

Me being silly...

Ethel

Ethel is Brent's grandmother whose health is steadily failing. She is currently 90 years old and is one of the most independent women I have ever met. She mowed her own acreage, gardened, and lived without assistance until recently. She was able to safely drive a car until about 6 months ago. That is a huge achievement in life. When I met her she didn't want assistance climbing the stairs. She is the type of woman to tell like it is and that is hard to come by with someone from her generation living in reserved, Scandinavian Minnesota.

She is a painter, an artist of real talent. We have several of her landscapes hanging in our apartment. There are daily things that remind me of Ethel... a determined look, a light laugh, a reference to beer.

And yes I said beer. Ethel loves her beer. One family event she arrived with her mug of beer and had a few glasses of red wine. Brent and I watched her with amusement as we swayed to the carols holding a glass of wine in one hand and a puppy in the other. We thought for certain the wine would end up staining his mom's beige carpet... but luckily she kept it contained! Then the real crowd pleaser came when she chewed on some turkey for a while and then took it out of her mouth to feed to the puppy.

Adorable, right?

Or when a woman is brazen enough to say, "At least I'm not the oldest one here!" while slanting her head toward a dinner guest a few years her senior that was seated directly beside her. The guest had no hearing loss issues either! Wow. Shock. Awe.

She is such a breath of fresh air.

My hope is that her son, Brent's dad, be comforted by the fact that his mother has led a very full life and that her passing is a natural experience. This has been very trying for Brent's parents since they live so close and see the daily withdrawl from reality.

I will feel comfort knowing what an impact she has had on all those who have known her, and loved her.

We don't know what to expect as far as how long she will hold on, but please keep Ethel in your thoughts and prayers.

My dad...

My family experienced a blow... on December 27 my dad had a massive heart attack and stroke. He was in critical condition for days being kept alive by a respirator and was announced brain dead. When he opened his eyes and the next day started squeezing our hands, we began to hope.

Now dad is speaking normally but has lost most of his motor skills and short term memory. He can only get out of bed with the help of two nurses, one of either side, but his mind does not understand that his body is too weak to hold him. As a result, the first morning he was in a regular room (Wed. Jan 2nd) he fell out of bed. Mom and I had not yet arrived at the hospital and the first thing we saw was dad laying on the floor with a nurse over him. Four nurses were required to get him back in bed and the fall caused two stitches in the back of his head and a blood clot in his left leg.

The news that dad is out of critical care is wonderful, but the damage to his mind is extent enough that he has to have someone in the room with him at all times to monitor him. He keeps insisting to get out of bed, but he is slowly regaining some of his strength. For example, at first he was not able to hold the phone up to his ear and couldn't keep still enough for someone else to hold it for him.... now he can hold the phone for a few minutes.

I am thankful that my family pulled together in this trying time to comfort my father and mother. It is great knowing that people truly care. It is going to be a long road to recovery and since I live in another state, I will not be there to witness the small goals like understanding how to move yourself up in a hospital bed. I just hope that through rehabilitation he does recover the use of his body and memory.

Here are some notes I kept of his first night speaking again after the attack when the respirator was removed. Most of it is funny, but some of it is touching....

12/31/07

First words: I want to see my wife.

Shortly after: I'm sorry, I'm gonna die.

Then he just became ornery and said the following in repetition throughout the night:

I want to go home.
I want ice chips, no I don't want that.
I want to go home. (We say no.) Why not? I already had my heart attack.
Why can't I sit in a regular chair?
I want a tissue, no I don't want that.
Why can't I go home?
Where's _____? (He kept asking for people over and over)
Sit down Penny.(few seconds later)I want ice chips, no I don't want that.
I'm hungry, do you know how long it's been since I ate?
Is this the only bed they have?