The Little Girl In Me

Welcome to my new home at Blogspot! I hope you'll come on in and make yourselves at home. I did a bit of pruning, but for the most part, what you find should feel somewhat comfortable and familiar. I guess my packing up, changing, and moving mode has struck Blogland, too.

Speaking of moving ~ With my parents' aforementioned move to a new home, I'm inheriting what I've decided to lovingly label my "quirky treasures." Last week I inherited a somewhat tattered book from my childhood with a handwritten message from my grandma. I also got my mom's long-lost Spritz Cookie Press. I'd been asking her about it for years...I was thrilled when it re-appeared! My loot also includes an old red scarf from when I was a little girl, a doily that belonged to my great grandma, my mom's big canning kettle, and two boxes of Nancy Drew books! Ah, yes. My parents' junk is my treasure.

But as much as I cherish the above items, I also brought home something of seemingly more recognizable value. My parents had been housing my wedding dress for 16+ years. Following our wedding, they had it drycleaned and sealed. It's been tucked away in my old closet for years. Out of sight, out of mind. But at long last, they told me it was time to relocate my dress...to my own home. Makes sense.

Before we got married, I longingly paged through a Bride's magazine, and I found the picture of my dream dress. I eagerly showed it to my future mother-in-law, as she is a professional seamstress. Long story short, she duplicated this amazing dress perfectly...without a pattern. I remember what it looks like: the ivory-colored lace, the beautiful beadwork. It's gorgeous.

Do you have any idea how hard it its to walk past this box day after day? I walk past it and long to peek inside. It's whispering my name.

I don't have any daughters who might one day wear my wedding dress. If I did, I'd patiently anticipate its unveiling in 10-15 years. But recently I've been wondering on what joyous occasion I will see it again. A future daughter-in-law? A granddaughter, perhaps? Maybe not till a fashion show of antique wedding gowns when I'm old and gray...

The little girl in me...not to mention, the big girl, too...is tempted...really tempted...to break it open and take a peek. Wouldn't that be fun? But then what would I do with it? It seems like I need to have a grander occasion that my own curiosity. Perhaps I'm looking for permission. Perhaps I'm looking for inspirational ideas.

So what would you do? Has the little girl in you eagerly broken the seal on your well-preserved wedding gown, or is it still safely put away for "someday?" I'd love to hear your stories...