To see your daughter in a wedding dress for the first time is a very emotional experience. Over their holiday visit, Allie (the bride to be), Kirsten, my Mom and I made the pilgrimage to the bridal shop. To see Allie trying on all those dazzling wedding dresses made the upcoming wedding event seem more real. We had so much fun watching her try on dress after dress. It was pure enjoyment to see that beautiful girl all dressed up.

Allie did try on dresses one other time with friends in Dallas. She facetimed us with her favorite dress and of course I cried as it was really the first time seeing her as a bride. It is hard sometimes to fathom my children are grown adults. I still remembering both of them as little girls playing bride dress up. My grandma, her great-grandma was Allie’s biggest fan. I wish she was here to witness this with us …. my dad, too. He would be so proud. Allie was the first grandchild and they had a special bond.

We weren’t expecting it, but she found the perfect dress for her big day. It goes so well with her personality and the vibe she is after for her wedding. I am so excited I just want to show everyone, but of course I can not. We have shared pictures of her in the dress with family and a few special friends. We still have about a 1.5 years until wedding day, but things are starting to get planned. Patrick does not want to see Allie in any wedding dress until the day of. I think it is sweet.

Allie and Pat will be home in Ohio in May/June for about a month. The bulk of the real planning will happen then. But she is doing research on all the vendors needed to put on a wedding. There have been discussions and ideas flying around now, but nothing is concrete expect the date, venue and now the dress.

I am excited for this next chapter. I can remember being the ages of my girls. This all makes me feel old, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I love where we are at in life and that I am still here to experience it all.

May 25, 2024 will be a beautiful day!