My Ball Gown: From a Childish dream to a Reality

Ever since I was a little girl, I loved fancy ball gown dresses. The ones that are like real princess dresses. Or the kind the women wore in the era of Gone with the Wind. I dreamed of wearing such a dress, or better yet, to have one of my own! I thought that it would be quite grand to go dressed in such a regal gown to a party, or a dance.

However, as I grew into my teens, and then early twenties, I rarely thought about such elaborate dresses. The desire was pushed to the far corners of my mind, and quickly collected dust. Occasionally, the thought started to spring forth again, but I deemed it as silly, and squelched it once more.

Then an opportunity came forth which rushed my once beloved dream to the surface yet again: a Ball! Not just any old dance, but one in which the girls were expected to come dressed in the very type of gown that I had once longed to have. There was a problem though, for I signed up about a week prior to the occasion, leaving me no time to find a pattern for, much less sew, a dress. So I went with the simpler option, and rented a dress. Amazingly, the first one that I took off the rack, fit well and I really liked it. So clad in the rental dress, I attended the Civil War Ball, and had a marvelous evening. However, I was a little sad, when I had to give the dress back.

Last year's dress that I rented.

That was last January. This past fall, I schemed with a friend about each making our own dress for the Ball this year. We planned early, bought the fabric in October, and I even started sewing mine in late November/early December. However, we were both quite disappointed, when my friend found out that she would not be able to go to the dance, due to another event that she had to attend the same day. I was disheartened by the knowledge, and even considered not attending myself. But when I looked at the dress that I had already started, and remembered the fabulous time I had last year, my decision was quickly made.

So I continued with the sewing. It was somewhat difficult, since I mostly made up the design for my dress. There were times when I just wanted to forget the whole thing, because it wasn't turning out how I wanted. But my cousin's wife graciously helped me with the fitting, and with remaking the crinoline so that it would work just right, and it was all finished before I had to leave for the Ball.

My ball gown. A wish come true!

Adorned in my gown(yes, the very sort of dress that I had longed for as a child!), I attended the Civil War Ball with some friends. Once again, I had a grand time. However, this time the dress I wore was mine. It wasn't one that I would have to return as soon as the dancing was finished. It wasn't like Cinderella's, where as soon as the clock struck midnight, the magic disappeared. Yes, I know that I made the dress, so of course it's mine. But I felt honored that God allowed my childish wish from so many years ago to be fulfilled.

God doesn't grant us all our wishes, like a fairy,
 but periodically He choses to fulfill some.

I think that if I'm ever having a super rough day, I'll put on that yellow "Princess dress", and ponder the love of a God who chose to give me one of the desires of my heart. Quite sure that it will easily brighten any dark day. =)