Over the past few months I have been meeting with Lisa and several other ladies, planning her wedding.   We have discussed,  made lists, made “team captains” and are working  hard, “planning for the wedding”.

Last night we took action…we had a party!!

We started our evening over at Nicole Diamond’s house.    

I was watching an interview with Reba and she was talking about trying on dresses, and the one thing she said was, always have your hair and make up done when you try on dresses so that you know what you will look like and you will know that the dress and the make up and hair will look good together!   That made sense to me.   So when we were discussing the “dress party” plans,  I remembered those words from Reba and suggested it to the girls.  We called Nicole,  she has her own business, make-up, facials, waxing… and she was able to do Lisa’s make up.  Her maid of honor, Cerissa, did her hair.  She looked stunning…  

Once that was done, we headed off to Cool Springs, to David’s Bridal for our “dress party”.  Gwen was our host and she was wonderful.  We had chairs set up around the mirrors.  Several of the women, walked around and picked out some dresses that they wanted to have Lisa try on.     

Then the show began…Lisa tried on dress after dress after dress.  It was fantastic, it was magic. It was spiritual.   It was beautiful!

After trying on about 5 different dresses, Lisa came out of the dressing room, stood there in another dress, we oohed and ahhed.   Then Gwen put a veil on her, Lisa looked in the mirror and began to cry.  She looked at us and said, “I can’t believe this is happening!”   

Of course it made us cry, but not for long…can’t mess up the make-up!  So Gwen passed out tissues and dabbed the tears and back in the dressing room for more changes.

There was constant chatter from all of us, about the dresses, and the beauty and daughters, and marriage.  It was estrogen at it’s best!!       

We talked about life, and love, and the transforming power of God.  We watched this beautiful woman come out in each dress and look beautiful in each and every one of them.    

We watched Lisa transform.  She allowed her “inner princess” to come out.  She finally allowed herself to be worthy of buying a wedding dress, but more important to walk down the aisle in a beautiful wedding dress.  To allow herself  find the dress that fits “her”.  There was joy, there was laughter, there was peace, and there was healing.

At the end of the night, Lisa chose her dress!  We all applauded with excitement of her choice.  She wanted us to help her choose, but we tried to not help her.  This is HER day, this is HER wedding, this is all about LISA.    She is embracing the moments, she did tonight.

Most of us went out for dinner after.   We had a great time laughing, and telling stories about life.    

We were talking about the evening and Lisa looked at us and said that she is now ready to take Natalie, her daughter, dress shopping when the time comes. She is very excited about that day.

Of course that day is far off, but last night there was healing and transformation.

When I started this journey with Lisa, she couldn’t envision taking Natalie “dress shopping”, because of her own history many years ago with her mom.  Last night new memories were made.   Lisa not only sees, but truly believes that, as Diana Pemelton, puts it, she is a “Daughter of the King”, worthy of trying on those beautiful princess dresses.  She is embracing that she is worthy to walk down that aisle in a beautiful dress, and stand with Gerald before her Creator and her family and friends.  She is embracing the moments of this journey.

Of course the transformation is taking place within’ her heart mind and soul, but what a gift for us, to be walking this journey with her.   I am honored to be a part of this last piece of this journey with Gerald,  to be a part of this “Wedding of second chances”, to see how God has pierced their hearts and become the center of their lives.

They chose to do the hard work and make their marriage work.  They made a choice to become the Godly people God called them to be.  They now are the man and woman of God they are called to be.

It was a night to remember.  we all learned and grew last night.  Some of us had a glimpse of what it will be like when we take our own daughters “dress” shopping one day.  It reiterated the importance of a mother’s role in her daughters life, the impact of words, and actions, the privilege of being a woman.  It showed us the beauty and the depth of women and the importance of our friendships and relationships.

We walked away with smiles and joy.             

It was a good night!

P.S.  Don’t worry, NONE of these dresses are close to the one she chose!!