My oldest sister, Cumorah, gave me my very first wedding present. It came about after she asked me how my first dress-trying-on trip went, and I answered (rather modestly) that it went badly. The dresses in the shops were too trendy for me. Too flashy. I like simple. I like classic. Of the two I tried on that fit my frame, and were genuinely beautiful, neither felt like me at all. If I were spending that much money on something, I wanted it to to be something I loved and felt comfortable in, rather than something I settled for because it was the best of not-very-good options. My sister excitedly answered, "I have an idea. You should wear granny's dress!" My granny was married in the late 1940's, and her dress was lovely. And simple. And classic. I.e., everything I ever wanted. Unbeknownst to me, my sister had this dress. She unselfishly gave it to me and allowed me to alter it. It was one of the kindest things anyone has done for me. It made my wedding feel special, and it made my wedding dress mine.
As I learned more about the dress, I came to love it even more. For instance, my granny made it herself, when she was only 22 and about to be married to my grandpa. My hero. (When I was a child, they called me grandpa's little shadow. If he was pulling weeds, I was pulling weeds. If he was picking raspberries, I was picking raspberries. If he was watching BYU sports, I was watching BYU sports.) She made the satin "slip" (as she calls it) from a pattern she found, and the lace jacket from another. Unfortunately we no longer had the original jacket, but I was able to use a friend's seamstress to whip up another. My grandfather passed away when I was 18, and so while he was not able to be physically present at my wedding, I felt truly honored to be wearing the dress my granny wore on the day of their union. My granny is still with us, and seeing her for the first time while donning her dress is one of the happiest moments of my life. Her eyes lit up. My smile.
7 comments:
Oh that's awesome. What a cool story. I didn't realize it was your granny's dress! The one you lived with in CA?
Not my California grandma. (She is 4'11"!) My granny and grandpa lived in Oregon when I was growing up, so I knew them better. My granny is in Utah now, and is one of the reasons my parents wanted to go there so my dad could help care for her in her late years.
Beautiful. <3 It's the perfect dress for you. So glad that all worked out the way it did!
It was perfect on you, with a capital P. Can I say, Granny & Grandpa's wedding pic is one of my favorite photos in the whole world, and I think the next one you posted of you and Granny is right up there. So beautiful, you could tell she was so honored. And I am honored to be a small part of your wedding story. Love you sweet girl!
So very special. I loved your dress before reading this. It just makes it all the more meaningful.
Rachel I am so happy you got to wear granny's dress! You were stunning. It's great to have connection with those who came before.
This is the last day I saw my granny alive. I didn't know it then, but I know it now. I am immeasurably grateful that it could be on such a meaningful and happy day.
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