It happened last weekend. 

We had only one day to do it, and the choice was made.  My daughter flew into town to find a wedding dress for her May wedding.  This is always a risky endeavor, especially when the bride lives in Colorado, the mom in Kentucky and the wedding is in North Carolina. 

I remember 34 years ago when I went looking for my wedding dress.  It seemed simpler in those days.  My sister and I had a double wedding, marring brothers.  We just went to the local Belk department store with our other sister and hit the sales rack.  We were determined to not leave until a sale dress was found.  Success.  Mine cost $50 and fit perfectly. 

My daughters dress-finding entourage included; her sweet bridesmaids who drove hours from out of town, a local girlfriend, a favorite Aunt and me.  We started the day with a bridal appointment in a little boutique shop, sipping champagne under crystal chandeliers, cheering the bride as she modeled dress after dress.

  Our next appointment was not the same. 

It was a factory, a madhouse.  The setting was huge, full of bustling sales staff and crazed brides frantically searching through rooms and hundreds of racks of wedding dresses.  No champagne, no lovely setting.  We were as deer standing in headlights, until our wedding assistant came to the rescue.  She looked as if her last job was selling Harley-Davidson motorcycles, or at least could jump on the back of one.  Dressed in black leather she didn't fit the the wedding scene, but she found the perfect dress.

I realize how special this dress process is, knowing my daughter is preparing for her future in a way like no other.  Being the bride is only the beginning, its' the marriage that counts. It build a fence of companionship and security that will last until, "death do us part."  As a couple, they are opening a door to a life together that will bring solid joy as well as crippling hard days.  The love that knits them together will grow as row after row of life produces a destiny neither could find on their own.

This new chapter for my daughter and myself has a way of writing itself.  We are walking had in hand towards her new life. 

As I let go of her hand and place it in the hand of a husband, I know she has a dad cheering from heaven.

I'll keep you posted.

~Janet