Communion Dress Shopping at Nordstroms

Emily’s First Communion Day is almost here. Honestly, I think I have been dreaming about this since her Baptism eight years ago. It’s surreal to me to think how fast life passes by and how fast that little baby I held in my arms has now received two Holy Sacraments( Baptism and First Penance). A few months ago we started to discuss what kind of Communion Dress she might want to wear. We had a long discussion about how making the Sacrament of First Eucharist is not going to the prom. It’s a blessed event and needed to be respected in that way. Although Emily is quite the Diva, I was hoping I was able to convey the holiness of the upcoming special day.

We started our search online. That was quite an overwhelming experience. There were dresses that were so extravagant that they could pass for bridal gowns all the way to what looked like a sundress. So many dresses. The fear immediately went through my mind, “WHAT if we do not agree on the dress?”. I mean, I am the mom, right? But, it’s her Communion? It really stressed me out. I wanted her to be completely happy, yet, I had been conjuring up in my mind what my perfect little Communion Girl would look like. So……we waited to go shopping. I guess I wanted to be sure I could give up part of my “control and opinion” and let her choose as long as it was not too far out of the ball park.

When the calendar hit April a neon sign kept scrolling across the inside of my head- GET THE DRESS!

Last weekend Emily was invited to celebrate a birthday of one of her friends. We decided to go shopping after the party. We did. Hubby, me and Emily headed to the overcrowded mall on a Saturday. I was prepared to spend the DAY and maybe the night trying on dress after dress, going from store to store. I was planning on watching a meltdown in the dressing room because everyone that has a child knows the BEST time to go shopping is after a birthday party! It seemed like a set up for disaster, but I was quite determined to get this show on the road.

The one decision hubby and I had made in advance was that we would start at Nordstorm. So we headed in and let the chips fall. It was pretty exciting to see Emily so happy and I was in utopia just being there. After being a BoyMom for sixteen years before Emily arrived, this was a moment I never ever thought would be a part of my life story. Here it was, here we were- in the middle of the Girls Department surrounded by Holy Communion Dresses. Thank goodness a lovely shopper’s assistant was there to help us. (Thank you, Sonya…You helped more than you will ever know).

Emily’s eyes opened wide as we were shown all the dress choices in her size. We ended up taking seven choices into the dressing room. At that moment I was not sure at all if any of them would make the cut. So, we ventured into the cubicle of hope and starting chatting. We put them into two  sections- Ones she loved a lot and ones she loved a lot lot.  From the ones she loved a lot lot, I asked her which one was her absolute favorite and she felt was respectful to wear to church. All three that she chose were beautiful. She tried on dress number one. I thought I my eyes were going to burst from the insides. I tried to hold it together. It kind of worked. She looked beautiful, just beautiful. Well, I am her mom, so I am a little or a lot bias. The dress fit perfectly. The veil complimented it and even had the same patterned flow that matched the bottom of the dress. I loved it…..and SHE LOVED IT! She paraded out of the dressing to show hubby. I thought I was going to lose my mind when I saw the love in his eyes when he first saw her in the dress. I’ll never forget it. It was such a beautiful moment.

That was it. That was the dress. She tried on ONE. She loved it. It was perfect! We were done. Sonya said she never had someone come in and try on one dress and decide. It was hard for me to believe, too. She asked us a few times if we were sure. We were sure….we are sure…and we are ready for First Holy Communion. I will never forgot this special day…..ever.

Disclosure: This is a personal post written by Diane Sullivan. No compensation was given for this post. Contact Diane Sullivan at 3decades3kids@gmail.com and @3decades3kids everywhere else.