Monday, January 07, 2008

My baby, she's all growed up. And yesterday brought that point home to me like never before. Yesterday, Kay and I went shopping for her grad dress. It was a lovely mother/daughter time with her and both of us were tired by the time it was done. Kay, from trying on about 30 dresses. But I have to give her kudos and hugs for humoring me, because she is so not a dress type of girl. But she was a good sport and tried on everything I brought into the dressing room without complaining. Although I did have to bribe her with a Chai Tea at Starbuck's to get her to try the bright pink dress on. That's okay. It was more mother/daughter time.

And me, I was tired emotionally. Watching her put on all these lovely dresses, really showed me my first little girl has turned into a lovely young woman. All these memories of her growing up were flooding my mind as I sat in the chair outside the dressing room, waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Making me turn a little melancholy and teary.
And a lovely young woman she's become indeed, who knows her own mind and what she likes, that's for sure. She knew exactly what she wanted before going in, and no trying to talk her into other stuff. She didn't want long. She didn't want poofy. She didn't want rhinestones or sequins. She didn't want too revealing. What she did want was something simple, elegant, cocktail length, with black, red or green or a certain kind of blue I have no idea what the name of is. And she didn't want her mother to have to spend $400 like her friend did. Bless her heart, I love that girl. She just could not fathom spending that on a dress she'll wear once for a few hours when she could use that money for another chance to go to the drama/dance and missions summer program she attended last year. The choice was simple for her.

She ended up with a beautiful, elegant dresss that has a touch of spanish flavor to it. You'll have to use your imagination a bit with these pics. Her dress is the black illusion halter dress on the left, but take out black cumberbund and put in the lace waist (except not quite so wide and more fitted like the cumberbund) from the dress on the right. Now imagine that whole thing with the black meshy stuff and black lace from the waist over red (instead of over black like the picture). Clear as mud? I know you can do it. Are you seeing it? I guess that's why I think it's sort of spanishy because of the red, black and lace. But it's lovely.

















Next on the grad to do list? Learn how to walk in some kind of heel. Now this should be interesting.

24 comments:

Sister Honey Bunch/Judi maloney said...

It sounds lovely. And she is indeed a good girl not wanting you to drop such a huge wad of cash on her.

Our Home Schooler and Jen said...

what a considerate daughter bless her

isnt it insane what some dresses are worth

and the dress sounds beautiful

jen

do we get a photo of her in it???

Laura said...

Oh Susanne it sounds beautiful. I can totally imagine it from your description. What a wise sweet girl you have. I was getting teary just thinking about how that will be my own daughter in just a few short years...sigh.

So glad you were able to find something.

Chris @ Come to the Table said...

Ohhh, Susanne what a sweet time. It is so hard to see them grow and yet fun too! The dress sounds lovely and I am so happy for you and her.

Lana G! said...

The dress sounds wonderful! The high heel part sounds painful!

Blessing on you both!

Barbie @ Mamaology said...

sounds sooo pretty. And what a thoughtful young woman she is!

I can't even imagine all the emotions involved in planning her graduation!

Donnetta said...

They grow so very fast!!... *sigh*

The dress sounds absolutely lovely!

Beck said...

What a good, good girl. You should be VERY proud of her - and that's a BEAUTIFUL dress!

Susie said...

The dress sounds beautiful. I don't even want to think about my girls being at that stage. I pray that they are as sweet as your daughter, and as price conscious(ha ha).

Prayer Post Blog said...

Good for her not wanting to waste her money when she could truly do something great with it. I'm all about spiffing up a discount $20 black dress with some white tassels which created a great flapper dress...of course that was 12 years ago so lol!

Barb said...

It's lovely. I think. LOL And good luck with the heels. If she's not used to wearing them, I'd sure stay away from tall skinny ones.

Good for her, not wanting to spend a small fortune on her dress. Smart girl. Someone raised her right!

Faith said...

Wow...what as special time. And what a thoughtful daughter! The dress sounds great...I cannot imagine planning for graduation...I still have 3 more years..but yikes..it sure goes by fast doesn't it??

Stacy at Exceedingly Mundane said...

That black dress is just incredible, so elegant and simply stated. I bet she looks wonderful in hers, how sweet that she didn't want the most expensive one and is considerate of you and your budget :) What a wonderful young woman you've raised!

OK, waiting patiently for photos!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Oh Susanne, I know just how you feel. It's all so bittersweet. I'm glad she found the perfect dress. She sounds like such a sweet girl.

Annie said...

It does sound so pretty... and I really know what you mean about seeing them as young women! Amanda is 17 now and it is so odd to remember her as a little girl running around!

Anonymous said...

Your daughter sounds just lovely, I hope my little ones grow up so sweet and I like the sound of the dress. I hope she has a wonderful time.
☆*´Sarah`*☆

Girl Raised in the South said...

Funny the things that tug on your heart, and they're generally oblivious, til it's their turn. Then they know what you were going through. If you can just grab onto what a great young lady she's grown into, it'll soften the blows a bit. xoxoxo

Shalee said...

Gorgeous... simply elegant and gorgeous. You've got such a beautiful creation of God's in that daughter of yours...

GiBee said...

She is going to look beautiful. Her heart is already beautiful, so anything she adds to the "outside body" will only make her shine.

And who SAYS she has to wear heels???? I have a low black pump in a sheer lace and glittery beads that would look lovely with the dress!

ellen b. said...

I am seeing it, gorgeous. Oh our little girls grow up so quickly! Blessings...

Heather Smith said...

Sounds like a beautiful dress. And sounds like you had great mother/daughter time. I'm looking forward to tons of mother/daughter moments coming my way! Happy belated birthday by the way! I am a bad blogging friend for missing it while on my Christmas/New Year's break!!

Sandra said...

The dress sounds beautiful Susanne :)

I can't even imagine having to do that with Jasmine when she's that age, it will be so hard seeing her all grown up :)

gail@more than a song said...

Oh I bet she's gonna be beautiful in the dress! Can't wait for photos.
A senior, wow, it is such a milestone!

Lisa Spence said...

The dress sounds perfectly beautiful! What an amazing transition ahead for you both...but it sounds as if you've done a good job raising her...