That's a Great Dress!

From the moment I spotted it, I knew it was a great dress.  A deep purple/royal blue color with ultra-thin spaghetti straps, some sparkly rhinestones running vertically down the breast bone, and a ruffle draping beautifully down the front until the fabric cut across on an angle.  When you walk, it flows behind beautifully, never getting caught under heels.  I loaned that dress to Melinda last night...

My closest girlfriend, Melinda, is an extraordinary person; smart, capable, beautiful, funny, an amazing pharmacist, and above all, an amazing friend.  She has been a member of the University of Pittsburgh Marching Band program for 8 years and, in that time, she's attended quite a few band formals.  For a few of those formals, I was around to help her get ready.  Me, along with the girls on our floor in the dorm would fancy her up, and she always looked beautiful. 

If life is about moments, Friday night was one I won't forget.  Melinda doesn't need help anymore; she looks beautiful all the time.  But the dress, well, it gave her a glow and confidence few dresses can.   

This dress has been to one other party in its day.  During my fairy princess wedding in "my past life," I attended a party with my favorite Disney characters.  Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were the guests of honor at a "Welcome Party" that kicked off the three days of over-the-top silliness.  It was a total waste of money and a party that I had no need or desire for, but nevertheless, I was instructed to plan it.  As was the case with the entire wedding, I took the perspective that, if I had to do it (which I did), I wanted everyone to have an amazing, memorable time.  For me, this included everyone from the photographers to the waitstaff,  our wedding planner and of course, the "characters" who attended our events.

Now despite the fact that I didn't want this party, it was one of the most amazing nights of my life.  The room had been transformed into a sparkling moment right out of Snow White's storybook.  Everything, down to the place settings, had been carefully chosen.  We were themed to the max, with the magic mirror, a original, custom designed "Green Apple Mad Hatter" Cake, and a smoking cauldron.  10 characters visited that night, including the Evil Queen.  I got to spend time with all 7 dwarfs and Snow White too.  If you know me well, you know that characters.... well I am absolutely in love with Disney characters.  This was an amazing experience and one that I will never forget. 

But here is the number one reason why.  As the night was drawing to a close, Snow White was working her way around the table, set up in a giant "U," distributing our parting gifts and saying goodbye to each guest individually.  When she reached me, I got up and gave her a hug.  And then, Snow White took a step to the side and the girl within her said genuinely to me, "Thank you.  This was the best time I've ever had."  I cried.  She resumed her persona and kept moving around the table.

The goal, was to give everyone involved the best time possible, to be a pleasure to work with, and allow everyone to have a unique experience.  And despite all the pressures around me, I did that.  For that girl, the event I created gave her a unique and pleasurable experience. 

So what about that dress?  Well, Once Upon a Time, it made me look incredible.  And Friday night, it made Melinda look beautiful too.  It gave me the opportunity to spend time with Melinda and enjoy, that despite the fact that we are all grown up, we can still play dress up.  It gave us both confidence and made us feel beautiful.  It's really quite a great dress. 

And I'm pretty sure that what life is all about.  Friendship and love, creating positive memories and experiences and of course, lending that great dress to a fabulous friend.