We dream about what we want for our children. A good education, nice manners, supportive partners, great jobs they love and the desire to take their parents on European cruises.
I have the same dreams as others, but one particularly stands out. I dream about seeing my daughter walk down the aisle in a beautiful white wedding gown. Dressing my daughter was always a thrill. When she was in high school, I even began shopping for her prom dress in November.
One must look on every rack in every store.
To think that I would get to watch her try on wedding dresses someday was a major dream. Kati, 27, will marry Miguel, 29, June 10 in Snohomish. Their 5-month-old daughter, Kelbi Lynne, the most precious baby in the whole wide world of course, will be pulled down the aisle in a wagon decorated with flowers.
Wedding looming, I really wish I had a million dollars. I wish Kati and I could fly to New York, shop for a gown designed by Vera Wang, and spend as much as Donald Trump’s bride spent on her gown, more than $130,000.
So sue me, I would have spent big money on the gown. Melania Knauss chose her dress during the haute couture shows in Paris. It took 550 hours of labor just to do the embroidery.
The dress was so voluminous, the new Mrs. Trump changed gowns for the reception.
Wow, she got to shop for two dresses.
On the O’Harran budget, Kati and I were lucky to find a great discount wedding shop north of Everett. With Kelbi Lynne in tow, we picked up my mother, and like ladies do, we lunched. My heart rocked like a church bell as we pulled into the bridal store parking lot. I wanted to savor every second as it unfolded.
I didn’t wear a white gown when I got married – either time – so maybe that explained my fervor.
There we were, four generations of women, oohing and aahing over every dress Kati slipped on. Frequent readers know I am a controlling so and so and will marvel at my restraint. Though I plowed through racks of white clouds and handed Kati my choices to try on, I held back my thoughts about each garment.
Brides, when they find the dress of their life, will recognize the moment. It was up to Kati to find her perfect design. Mom and I took turns cuddling Kelbi Lynne and helping Kati adjust long trains and her woman parts.
Let’s be frank. Breasts and how they look in wedding gowns are a big deal. They are the first things that go down the aisle.
Some dresses squeezed the bosom up towards the chin. Some were like sequined body armor that would jab her Daddy during the first dance. Some were more va va voom than she desired. Did Kati want a delicate waistline, a bow in the back, poofy, no poofy, sleeves or satin ruffles?
My daughter could have taken all day. I was charmed at each selection.
At the first store, Kati confirmed the style she already pictured in her dreams. Her future mother-in-law arrived in town that afternoon from Walla Walla and you will be so proud of me. I wasn’t upset Kati and Hlynn checked out another bridal store.
I can share her. But I arranged for another shopping extravaganza that evening, adding my husband, Chuck, to the gazing crowd at a third bridal store. Grampie enjoyed his time showing Kelbi Lynne the darling baby in the huge mirrors while Kati emerged from the dressing room in gown after gown.
There was nothing prettier in the universe than my daughter in those creamy dresses. I’m sure you felt the same way about your daughters. The next day, we were thrilled Kati wanted to take one more look at the perfect dress she found with Hlynn.
We bought it.
It was half off, like most of the prom gowns Kati wore, but this mother and daughter couldn’t have been more thrilled about the selection. She always respected that we weren’t in the Trumps’ financial league.
The dress hangs in a closet at my house. I’m spending a lot of time these days gently touching organza.
June 10 should be a dream.
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.
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