Most women spend months looking for the perfect dress, pouring over magazines and trying on gown after gown. I picked out three. And the dress I said yes to was the second one I tried on. It was a few sizes too big and a bit dingy from wear, but I just knew the moment I slipped it on that it was the one. The seamstress took my measurements and I put down my deposit. I think I was in and out in less than two hours.
I loved everything about my dress. I felt beautiful in it.
And that was it. After our day was done I took it to the cleaners, placed it back in its storage bag, and put it in a storage container. It has been there ever since (almost 11 years).
Over the years, I have seen many friends in their wedding dresses. And I’ve seen quite a few share photos of their dresses being recreated as baptism gowns for their daughters.
I don’t know if that was something I would have considered if I ever had a daughter, but I wonder.
January and August always make me sad. Those are the months I am reminded of my loss. And it hurts. Ever since that day four years ago, I’ve been looking for a way to heal – a way to commemorate that there was once another child.
I can’t remember when or how I first learned about Angel Gowns.
Angel Gowns of WNY is dedicated to creating beautiful final-photo and burial gowns, handcrafted by volunteers, from generously donated wedding and special occasion dresses, to offer comfort to grieving families in NICUs during their time of loss. Angel Gowns are beautiful gowns that are hand made by volunteers for babies that never make it home from the hospital.
And today, that is what I did. I packed it up carefully and it’s now en route to Buffalo.
Letting go of my wedding dress wasn't easy, but helping other families through their grief helped me cope with my own. Click To Tweet
It wasn’t an easy decision, donating my wedding dress. But it felt like the right thing to do. I will always love my wedding dress, but knowing that it may bring just a little bit of comfort to a grieving family is what makes it all the more special to me. And that gives me a sense of peace that I have not had in a long time.
{top} my wedding dress before sending it to Angel Gowns NY {bottom} – pictures of my dress by Angel Gowns
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I'm so sorry for your loss. Such a wonderful decision! Your dress is beautiful and this is such a awesome thing to do for families. I am an Angel Mom myself. I have three babies in heaven. I founded The Joseph Michael Kolarcik Foundation in memory of my son born still in 2008. We help families bury and cremate their babies.
This was a beautiful post Lisa. Coodles to you for donating your dress. I've never heard of Angel Wings before but it sounds like an awesome organization!