Wednesday, February 20

My mother is here this week for her annual February Vacation visit. This visit came with a unique task: to find my dress. Joining us on our quest was Malene, who has been a close friend since my first month in Boston.

We visited three bridal shops yesterday, Malene and Mom meticulously and honestly critiquing each dress I modeled. While some came close, none produced that magical transformation brides are promised. Bridal legend is that the moment you put it on, you just know. The world stops for a moment as you're overtaken by emotion. Then bells ring, birds sing, and you're immediately transformed into the absolute best, most shining, most glorious version of yourself.

I'd already seen this very emotion overtake my good friend Jessica G last month. We went shopping together one Saturday in early January, neither of us expecting to find the magical one. Our last stop was a mother/daughter seamstress shop we visited on a whim. There were four dresses on the rack. One was Jessica's. As soon as she stepped out of the dressing room, it was palpable. A different glow radiated and filled the room as she stood in front of the mirror, captivated with her own reflection. Then the tears. The transformation. The shining, glorious euphoria.

It was this visceral reaction I knew I was looking for yesterday as I was laced and corseted into countless dresses.

Then, at 3:30 in Malden, it happened.

Malene was the one who spotted it. Mom wasn't sure, but the shop attendant brought it behind the curtain anyway. The bodice was immediately intriguing. The skirt seemed to be the right mix of elements. Then, as she began lacing me in, it happened. I caught myself in the mirror and gasped. My eyes filled with tears. Had I found it?

As I stepped from behind the curtain, Malene met me with a whispered, "Oh!" Mom was speechless. In front of the showroom mirror, I stood transfixed.

It's the strangest form of magic, this dress business.