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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: BUY - BYE (01/19/23)
What is special about Christmas Eve, 1959?

Seven months prior I met a young man, and I immediately fell in love. Yes, it was “love-at-first-sight”.

We spent the evening of December 24 attending a Christmas Eve service at my church. After the service, we drove back to my house. It was just before midnight. Once we arrived at my home Paul gave me my Christmas gift. On one knee, with ring in hand, he asked me to marry him. I couldn’t have been more excited.

I went to bed that night with butterflies dancing in my stomach. No matter how many sheep I counted, I could not sleep. I couldn’t wait for Christmas morning when I could show my ring to our relatives as we gathered in various homes for our Christmas celebrations.

With the excitement behind me, the time had come for me to look for my wedding dress. I had an idea the style of dress I wanted to buy. But could I find it?

On a Saturday in May, three of my girlfriends and I made a trip to the bridal store to try on wedding dresses, just for fun. All of us were getting married within the year. We picked out dresses we thought we might like, then proceeded to try them on, asking for opinions from each of the girls. Opinions were given, along with lots of laughter and advice. The average cost of a wedding dress was $49.00.

After trying on several I found “the one”. It was perfect. I didn’t tell anyone as I wanted to keep it a surprise. The only problem was - the price tag. I wasn’t sure I could buy this particular dress. My budget was limited and this dress was over the limit.

But I loved the dress.

After a fun filled afternoon, we finally headed for home. All I could think about was this “perfect” dress that I wanted to buy for my wedding. I was determined to put any excess money into my “wedding dress fund.”

Being a brand new believer, I wasn’t sure if God was concerned about wedding dresses, so wasn’t sure if I should pray about this or not, but, not knowing any better I decided it couldn’t hurt.

I prayed, “Dear God, I don’t know if you care about wedding dresses, but I really love this dress. It would truly make me feel like a princess for my prince charming. I don’t know if it is the dress you want me to have, but if you do, would you please help me provide financially for it. Thank you God. Amen.”

A month later my mom and my three bridesmaids went back to the bridal store to actually buy the dress I would wear for my September wedding. I had determined if God wanted me to have this dress, it would be there. I had managed to save some extra money so I knew I could afford it.

First I selected dresses I wanted my bridesmaids to wear. I wanted them dressed in lavender, but wasn’t sure that color would be available for fall. To my delight, they had the exact lavender dresses I wanted for my girls. My two bridesmaids would be dressed in soft lavender and the maid-of-honor would be dressed in a matching dress of pale green. The colors were beautiful together.

It was now my turn to try on dresses. I picked out several that were a possibility. I asked the saleswoman if they had the dress I picked out earlier. She smiled and said “yes”. I modeled each dress for my family to their nods of “that’s nice”, “I like it”, or “that’s pretty too.” Then I tried on “the dress” and when I walked out wearing it you could hear each of them saying, “wow”, “that’s perfect”, “you look like a princess”.

Well, that did it. That’s the one I would buy. I told no one what the price was because I didn’t want them to think I was too extravagant. (Hint: the cost was $100.00).

The day of my wedding I truly did feel like a princess as I met my prince charming at the altar.

We left the church, amid a shower of rice, as we headed for our honeymoon. Everyone was shouting “Bye, have fun.”

My mom peeked in the open car window and said, “Bye sweetheart. God has blessed you both. Have a wonderful time, and, I love you.”



This is my story.
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This article has been read 270 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Philippa Geaney
01/28/23
It is a lovely story. It is so lovely I think you could done a little more showing—- say maybe ‘I touched the lace with hesitant fingers, could this delicate creation ever be mine?
Thank you for sharing.
Philippa Geaney
01/28/23
Sorry, my above comment should have read “could have done” not what predictive text chose?‍??
Bonnie Clarkson
01/30/23
I loved the story. It demonstrates that God is interested in everything we are. You set the mood with the year and memories. It should evoke memories and feelings in others.
Terry R A Eissfeldt 
01/31/23
Love your story.
One way you may have been able to incorporate the bye part of the buy/bye is maybe weave in all the little things that the bride had to say good bye to: single hood, home, free youth, being a daughter first, etc. Just a thought.
Thanks for sharing
Blessings