Saturday, June 27, 2009

7 New Dresses

Every year, since Luke started residency about six years ago, we've had a formal banquet to go to; an opportunity to see the 4th year class graduate, and more importantly, an opportunity to buy a new dress... It seems, as I think back to all the dresses, that there's a story behind each one of them. And I'm in a story-telling mood...

Dress #1: I left a screaming newborn Amaleah with Dad, and hurriedly picked out a two piece polka-dot outfit from Ann Taylor...that one I wore a lot; perfect for nursing...and Amaleah was still crying when I returned.

Dress #2: The re-use: a sparkly purple dress I had found at Ross for $3...seriously; and I had worn it in New York a few years before.

Dress #3: A shopping trip with Luke's gramma: after I subtly mentioned to her that I needed a new dress, she cheerfully responded by insisting we go together: we shopped, I tried on, she critiqued, she bought. Nice. It was a hot pink, eyelet dress with a halter. I had tried on another one and we were deliberating, but when I came out in this one, she said "Oh that's lovely." I said "I think it's a pretty dress too," and she said, "Oh no dear, I was referring to that beautiful mole you have on the neckline..." So that dress apparently worked with my body.

Dress #4: A trip to the mall and a stretchy black dress with white and pink contrast down the front...The story behind this one is that Julia was a wee little baby, who never took a bottle. My babysitter had to drive her up to the banquet so I could nurse her in the car before bedtime...that was a sight, let me tell you...

Dress #5: I picked up my mom from the airport, she was to babysit that night. I had no dress yet, and 3 hours to find one...So, we stopped at Ross, she stayed in the car with the kids, I ran in, tried on 6 dresses, found the perfect one, and a pair of shoes, in less than 20 minutes. I still like that dress (brown, strapless with a cream brocaide pattern throughout)

Dress #6: Shopping trip with Mercy (Luke's sister) in San Antonio, with a few weeks to spair until the event. We walk into Banana Republic. A random black, silk dress is hanging on the wrong rack, and it is really the wrong size for me, I think, but the total right price ($30...)I try it on, and with a little help from Mercy with the zipper, the perfect black dress was bought. This one I wore to Luke's graduation.

Dress #7: This year, another shopping trip with Mercy, this time to one store only...the Gap. Keep in mind I'm big and pregnant, but the styles these days, like empire waistlines, make it possible to buy non-maternity things and have them work (and make me wonder, "Why would anyone else wear this if it makes them look pregnant?"). And this year, I had a personal jeweler to bead me a coordinating necklace!
Besides the fun dresses, of course the best part is a night out with my husband...




7 comments:

darcie said...

I love it when clothes have stories, and yours are delightful. It all brings back memories for me too!

Julie said...

You look beautiful, Friend!! I hope you guys had a wonderful evening!

Abigail said...

oh gab you are so beautiful! I love dress #7...I am sitting here dreaming about how someday I will just have to borrow it...!

Kara Clayton said...

I couldn't love this post any more than I do! I'm so sentimental and remember stories like that and they truly mean something to me for years!!! I love that you are the same way and I truly enjoyed each story! You look stunning in dress #7 as I'm sure you did in #1-#6 as well.

Janelle and Ella said...

This is a great story telling post!!

You guys look great. Gorgeous dress! Congratulations on your precious family.

Rachel said...

hmmm...these are the kind of stories that WE love to read and the kind of stories that some day your sweet daughters will love to read!

darcie said...

I love this post and was just reading it again with Gramma--and had to let you know. missing you these days. .