This past Friday night was Genevieve's 8th grade dinner dance. Many, many individuals who traveled in & out of the shop this Spring know the dress shopping story...
First, I just really didn't give it much thought. It wasn't prom. It wasn't Senior ball. It was the dinner dance. Then I was reminded this is Genevieve we're talking about. The girl who at 9 years old knew she wanted to attend the Fashion Institute for college. The only one of my children who was working a deal at age 10 with our hair dresser to slip in some highlights for the summer. And so I should have known, the dress for the dinner dance would be a very big deal.
We made all the rounds - JC Penney, Macy's, Marshall's TJ Maxx, etc. etc. And since I work Saturdays, David stepped in going to several malls locally. Nothing. Perhaps the problem was Genevieve had been on the internet and had already found the perfect dress. Nothing seemed to come close. Whatever it was, when a very tired David arrived home a few weeks ago spouting terms like silhouette and bust line, I knew it was time to surrender. And when he recovered enough from another day of Rue 21, Charlotte Russe, Express and even Lord & Taylor and said, "I don't care how much it costs - order that dress," I agreed.
Then came the dance. And as we stood there taking pictures , it suddenly all seemed worth it. Somehow, when we weren't looking, our little Gigi grew up:
Sometimes all it takes is a moment of awareness. A minute of slowing down and taking a real look at your child for it all to come together. Being the 3rd of 4 children means Gigi often lives in the shadow of two anything but dull older kids while tolerating the never- quiet- for- a- moment younger 9 year old. Its not an easy place to be. It can make for very tough living at times. Yet as we stood there Friday evening snapping pictures and allowing the time to be all about Genevieve, we realized special people can make even the hardest of situations work. We knew it as we looked at our sweet, smart, funny Genevieve standing tall and certain. Her quiet strength and confidence giving us a glimpse into everything she will become. There she stood. Our Genevieve. Capturing our hearts all over again.
Pam, I am crying my eyes out! Have a Happy Birthday and I need to go to the bathroom to get kleenex. She's beautiful!
Grace
Posted by: Grace | June 01, 2009 at 10:06 AM