My name is April, and it has been six years since I got divorced from Mark. Not long afterward, he got married to Cassandra, who always seems to try to use empathy, and speaks in a business-like way.
Lily, our daughter, is 17 years old and is Mark’s and my daughter as well. She is full of youthful excitement and very mature thoughts. Since she is about to complete high school, she is already imagining her future at college this fall.
The Ideal Dress
On a particular day while I prepared dinner, Lily excitedly pulled out her phone to show me something. “Mom, look! Isn’t this wonderful? She glowed as she said, “It’s great for prom!”
There was a beautiful satin dress, delicate sparkling beadwork like stars, gentle draping, and a classic body shape in the picture.
After that, I learned the item was $1,000.
Two jobs are important for our home, although we can’t afford that kind of dress. Impossible for most people to acquire. I made a smile appear on my face. It’s absolutely amazing, wasn’t it?
Lily felt that the financial challenges were clear to them. “It must be a lot you have to do,” she murmured. “All I was doing was daydreaming.”
After she was in bed, I stayed at the kitchen table, feeling sad as I looked at the dress displayed on her phone. It took me back to times when my mom showed me how to sew for basic clothing, not for any fashion reason.
A Letter from the Heart
After waking up the following morning and still in my pajamas with coffee in hand, I visited Lily at her door. “What if… I actually made you the dress you are wearing?” I asked. “We can figure it out by working together.”
When she was first asked, she wasn’t completely sure. It must take a lot of time, Mom. What if I cannot get the makeup to look the way I want it to?”
Then we’ll make things better,” I announced with more firmness than I thought was in me. My grandma would say that what makes a dressing special is the love that’s put into it.
Lily paused to consider before she smiled. Let’s see what happens next.
Blending Dreams
Most nights we would share a routine: come up with designs, look at fabric samples together, and smile while we changed our minds. Lily desired elegance but not over the top style.
Our decision was a light blush pink print, which was just stunning. I decided to use credit when I made the purchase, despite feeling worried.
After every night shift, I would still sit on my machine, and my fingers could feel their old memories returning. Lily would often sit by me, sharing stories about what happened in school, new life experiences, and her ambitions.
In the third week, the dress were finished. I saw Lily in it on Sunday, and I took a sharp breath. The difference from childhood to maturity was clear on her face.
“Mom,” the girl quietly said, twirling as she looked at herself in the mirror. “It’s perfect. I sometimes feel like a real princess.
Through my tears, I managed to say: “You are one.”
Unexpectedly Arriving
The night before prom, when I had just finished hemming the dress, I heard a person walk up. They wore their heels with a solid sense of confidence. I looked through the window and saw Cassandra with a garment bag as if it held something very important.
“Cassandra?” I opened the door and said.
She gave a smooth and graceful smile. I have something I want to give to Lily.
Coming downstairs, Lily was eager to find out what was going on. Cassandra brought out the bag with a lot of drama to show me the very dress Lily had shown me.
She paused to shift her opinion. “I wanted you to have something genuine,” she added as she looked at me. Not something made in the same way at home.
When Lily took the dress, she studied the glittering beads on it. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
Cassandra beamed. Mark got it this morning. We only wanted what was best for you.
As soon as Cassandra left, Lily became quiet. She started addressing her mother with “Mom.”
I put my hand up softly. You have the choice to do what you want, my dear. Find out what brings happiness to your life.
She nodded. “I need to be alone,” said Blue, and went to her room.
Prom Night
Instead of asking which dress, I took care of getting her ready for us to go out. I arranged her hair, did her makeup, and put on her necklace very carefully.
“Mom,” she said as she took my hand. “Everything I am today is because of what you did for me.”
Next, she came down the stairs, and suddenly my heart stopped. She had on the dress that I had made myself.
“You’re simply…amazing,” I quietly said.
Lily gave me her phone after smiling at me. See what Cassandra has shared on her social media page.
The photo showed the unbagged dress and said: “I can’t wait to see Lily in her dream dress tonight!”
Lily laughed. This girl will discover a lot now. You ready to bring this to an end?”
A statement that is made publicly.
We saw Cassandra sitting outside by the school’s gym. Right away, Lily caught her attention while she was dressed as a celebrity.
“Lily?! The costume on stage is not what I purchased.”
Lily was not a small person. “Nope. I have the sweater that my mom sewed for me.”
“But… why?” Cassandra stammered.
Love is what counts, not what people are called. My mom took care of me and provided me with everything necessary.
Tap tap she walked into the gym, her strides a show of confidence and beauty.
After the events at the Ball
As soon as the next day arrived, Lily’s prom picture started going viral on social media. Her post caption said:
My mom could not afford the $1,000 dress, so she created this one for me. After two long days at work, she would start working on her project at night. I’ve never been more confident and loved than now. Love should be about affection, not about money.
Hundreds of people told their stories, praising the dress as well as the woman who made it.
Two days passed before Lily mentioned a message she got from Cassandra.
“Because you did not wear the dress I bought, your mom needs to repay me $1,000.”
Lily said: “You cannot put love in a bag like a receipt. Do not get rid of the dress. There was no need for me to have it.
Having us blocked and unfollowed, Cassandra said goodbye to us for good.
A Story of Love
She rang later to start apologizing, but at that point, the harm was already done.
I set Lily’s prom photo next to a picture of my mom and me when she was teaching me to sew. As I pass both my children every day, I realize that some blessings are too great to measure.
Lily is planning to bring the dress with her to college as a way to remember where she is from.
So, what’s true for me is I think now is a good moment to put my sewing machine to regular use. As love cannot be purchased, it is sewn one kind deed at a time.
