The Fairy Tale...is it really about the dress?

My daughter is like most girls...she has a dream, a big dream. She longs to find that "perfect" guy one day, her Prince Charming. The reality check is that the dream is fading faster and faster these days as divorce, premarital sex and adultery are becoming more and more common in every one's world. Even what the world considers the "perfect" family will sometimes be torn apart. My daughter has not been naive to this fact, while watching friends and families dealing with broken relationships all around her. My kiddos wouldn't be normal if they didn't even wonder once in a while if everything is OK with my hubby and I. In other words "trust" in people these days has fallen by the wayside. Even our favorite and closest friends and family have a way of letting us down. Nothing is without a risk. Nothing is sure proof or forever. Nothing...

EXCEPT Jesus Christ, himself, the true Bridegroom.

So, my job as a mom, is not just relishing the dream with my baby girl, of finding that "special guy," but rather finding the guy God has planned for her. Can I promise her a "happily ever after?" No. But I can attempt to show her daily, by example how to love Christ. I can try my hardest every day to put the Ultimate Bridegroom in my life first and then second show her how to be a devoted and a loving wife, to my earthly husband, her daddy. There will be days I fail miserably, but in that there is a lesson to be taught too, on how to give and receive forgiveness. I can teach her that no matter what ups and downs come her way in this world, that there is a "happily ever after" in following her Savior.

Why did I bring this up now? Why today?

Because it has been on my heart and mind a lot lately. Friends and family struggling to keep their families together, while I try my hardest to not let the busyness of my world disrupt my own family life. Struggling to find the "joy" in the mundane work of a "working mom;" keeping the bills paid, laundry washed and the kitchen stocked, while putting in a full days work and keeping up with kid and church activities. It can get CRAZY!!! I have to remind myself daily how BLESSED I am. I do have kids that I adore and a husband who adores me. Even greater, is that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me warts and all.

BUT,

that is not the only reason this has been on my mind...

The other day, my daughter and I were watching that CRAZY show "Yes to the Dress." I am glued while saddened that these ladies think that their wedding is ruined if they don't have a perfect dress. A dress that cost as much as a car, thank you very much!!! I want to say, "Ladies, it won't matter. You will hardly remember anything about your wedding. It is the years afterward that really count."

When I got married, my parents didn't have much money to pull off a wedding. I didn't have much money either. My wedding was small. I like to call it "handmade," because EVERYTHING was made by family except the invitations and the cake. My dress was made by my future mother-in-law and didn't cost 500.00, much less thousands.

So, the other day, while watching the show, my daughter asked me if I still had the dress. "Yes." She immediately went in search of it and had to try it on. I wasn't sure if it would fit, for I was a little smaller than her when I got married. (She also has a bigger chest than I had before I started having babies. :) ) But we managed to get it zipped up.

I WANTED TO CRY!

It is still hard for me to believe my baby girl is 15. It is hard to believe that one day her "Prince" will come. I don't want to think about her getting her heart broken as she searches for her special guy. I don't want to think about her leaving me. But I know that one day it will happen.

So, I took a picture. I took a picture so that I would remember to not only pray for what her day holds today, but rather what her dreams hold for tomorrow. I am praying for that Prince whoever he may be, that he will be deserving of my little gal, not that any one guy could. :) I am praying that they both are trying their hardest to know God and grow, now. I pray for my heart that when the day comes, I will be able to let go and let my baby girl let her dreams come true. I pray that she always knows who her TRUE Prince Charming really is.

Kayla wrote a poem for a project last year. The project was a scrapbook of where she sees herself in 10 years. Among the education, job, nice house, she had a wedding page and on it was this poem she wrote...

An Everlasting Relationship

There's almost nothing more happier than a wedding occasion,

Where everyone comes for this marvelous celebration.

The bride is primed and prepared in her beautiful white dress,

while bridesmaids apply makeup to look their best.

The bridesmaids hold their flowers and steadily walk down the aisle

Then the bride with her head held high, walks down with a slow steady style.

Everyone stands admiring her beauty and charm

Then she turns and see her father crying, while on her arm.

As they reach the alter she sees her fiance with a smile on his face

She turns and meets her father with a warm embrace.

The couple holds hands and exchanges the rings,

As he looks at her, her heart flutters and sings.

They both proudly say "I do,"

For their love is beautiful and true.

As their lips meet, they become one in one

And everlasting bond that cannot be undone.

This is my wish, oh how I long to be..

In an everlasting relationship with someone that 's close to me.

Kayla

Yeah, you can't tell me after reading that, that my gal doesn't believe in "happily ever after."

But then, I do too.

Thank you, Lord for being my Prince.

Thank you for sending my hubby, my way to take care of me here on earth.

I am blessed.