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Alberta, Calgary, children, daughters, David's Bridal Shop, Diana Schwenk, Edmonton, family, growing up, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, kids, life, living in the moment, love, parents, Relationships
ON SATURDAY I DROVE THREE HOURS NORTH TO EDMONTON to meet with my daughter Michaela, her sister Alana, her future mother-in-law Judy and her Maid of Honour Jessica at David’s Bridal Shop.
She had a 3:30 appointment with a wedding dress expert/consultant/employee. Having never married myself, I had no idea you could make an appointment like this.
But it’s brilliant and I highly recommend it!
When we first got there, they handed Michaela an iPad that featured all their dresses and told her to scroll through the pictures and pick the ones that she liked.
When she had chosen her favourites, the expert/consultant/employee handed her a form to fill out and asked her some questions about budget, etc., to further narrow the search.
Then she walked us to the fitting rooms, lined up some chairs for us to sit on and pulled several dresses based on those Michaela had chosen and the information she had gleaned.
She was very good at her job. She helped Michaela get into and out of the dresses, gave advice on veils, corsets and jewelry and made it all a very good experience for all of us.
I’m not a big fan of shopping and Michaela and I never expected that we would find the perfect dress that day, but we did, largely due to a very helpful and competent employee.
Because I don’t trust my failing night vision for highway driving, I decided to take a hotel room and return to Calgary the next morning. To my delight, Michaela decided to spend the night with me.
We stayed at the Coast Plaza Hotel in downtown Edmonton, so we went out on foot to do a bit of exploring and find a place to have supper. We settled on a pub a couple of blocks away where we enjoyed a great meal, wonderful conversation and a drink to celebrate finding the perfect wedding dress.
I am grateful that Michaela found the dress of her dreams and it was a pleasure to meet her future MIL and Maid of honour. But mostly I cherish every opportunity I get to spend with my beautiful daughter.
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
One day she was a little baby, and suddenly she’s a grown woman. Where did the time go? I’m new at this whole Mother of the Bride thing, do you have any advice or helpful tips for me leading up to the wedding date?
When in New Places said:
This was so sweet, Diana, and how exciting!!
It drives home the point that you just know it when you know it ~ I’m sure she’ll be a spectacular stunner on the big day!!
The ipad is such a GREAT idea!!
~ Andrea ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Andrea, it will be a momentous day for sure. ❤
Diana xo
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rachelcarrera said:
YAY! I’m so happy for her! And you! But the shop handing you an iPad…that’s a whole new kind of shopping experience! How cool! 😀 ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Isn’t it? I thought it was brilliant Rachel! ❤
Diana xo
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rachelcarrera said:
Yes, and kind of “futuristic” even though it’s here and now 🙂
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stuffitellmysister said:
HOW EXCITING!!!! I want to see the dress!!!!
No advice from me. I have boys and couldn’t get them to shop for dresses. 🙂 Treasure every moment ♥
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dianasschwenk said:
I’m sure I will have many pictures of the dress from the wedding – you only have to wait until May! 😀
Diana xo
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stuffitellmysister said:
🙂 Ok…..I will try to be patient. Congrats to your daughter!
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Tracy Lee Karner said:
Congratulations. ❤
My advice: just let her lead, support her in fulfilling her dream, and enjoy yourself. It sounds like she's got everything well in hand, beginning with choosing the right store at which to shop. They're not all that good!
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dianasschwenk said:
Great advice Tracy – thanks!
Diana xo
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The Writing Waters Blog said:
Wow! What a special remember forever day.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yeah, it sure is! ❤
Diana xo
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Sheryl said:
It sounds like a wonderful, fun day. Your experience reminds me of a book that I read a year or so ago about a bridal shop in Michigan called The Magic Room: A Story About the Love We Wish for our Daughters by Jeffrey Zaslow.
http://magicroombook.com/becker%E2%80%99s-brides/
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dianasschwenk said:
I love the name Magic Room! Looks like a Becker’s is a great bridal shop and I love the back story!
Diana xo
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Jean said:
Great that she found a dress…this quickly. Wonderful!
Now she can get on planning food (yum) and dancing tunes to make it a memorable celebration.
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dianasschwenk said:
Exactly! These are exciting times Jean! 😀
Diana xo
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this is lemonade said:
Oh wow, congrats to Michaela, Diana. Glad you had such a lovely mother-daughter time. I’m just dipping into some blogs – glad I caught this lovely news. I’m going to rummage a bit deeper to see if I can find out who the lucky guy is who’s marrying her! I can imagine you’ll be the most amazing mother of the bride – enjoy! xx
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you so much! I haven’t written about him yet, but I should! So good to see you! How’s life treating you?
Diana xo
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bodhisattvaintraining said:
My daughter gets married in just over a week Diana – I can’t believe not only where the years have gone but this engagement period! We’re all so excited, he’s a lovely guy…I can relax and enjoy the night once I’ve walked her down the aisle, and made my speech(!)
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dianasschwenk said:
congrats to you and your daughter and the very lucky guy who is getting her!
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
I’m very happy for you to have spent such quality time with Michaela on the big day of finding her wedding dress! Fantastic, Diana. My Elisabeth is 24, boyfriend George of three years, so (knock on wood). Now that I think of it, it’ll be her mom doing this stuff, not me! Still I share in your excitement looking ahead to a similar time. My little piece of advice … make a list of what you need to coordinate with Michaela for the day and next time you go up, buy it while you’re with her?
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dianasschwenk said:
That makes total sense Mark! She’s so on top of what needs to be done, I feel like I can just wait and she’ll tell me what to do! 😀
Diana xo
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f-stop mama said:
Not xo, so. Typo
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dianasschwenk said:
I knew what you meant. 🙂
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f-stop mama said:
Congrats to you both. How exciting! My son is only 18 xo hopefully it will be awhile for wedding talk 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
haha boys are different, aren’t they? They’re not so much in a rush to get married. 🙂
Diana xo
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sedge808 said:
how exciting
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dianasschwenk said:
It is Gavin, thank you!
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
Enjoy every moment heading towards this special day. It is a precious time between Mother and daughter! Karen
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dianasschwenk said:
I certainly will Karen – thank you! 🙂
Diana xo
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Minuscule Moments said:
Diana I still say you look too young to have a daughter ready for marriage. What a beautiful memory you created, it is a special day and one you will treasure.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you for the ‘you look to young’ comment Kath – I now have a girl crush on you!! haha
Diana xo
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Kristi said:
That’s huge Diana! Your baby is all grown up. Wow. Sounds like you had such a great experience with dress shopping….that can be stressful. I think red will look so good on you….my mum also wore a red dress. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
I’ve always wanted a red dress Kristi so I’m excited!
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Diana, it sounds like you had a wonderful weekend with your daughter. Michaela is so lucky to have you as a mom.
You reminded me of the day I went with Denise to get her wedding dress, way back in 2003. When she tried on the one she ended up settling on, all I could think of was she looked like an angel. I got tears in my eyes, she looked so beautiful. And her wedding day was lovely.
I wore a rust coloured dress which went with the whole October autumn leaves theme. 🙂
I’m sure you are both going to look stunning! Can’t wait for pics! ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jennifer. I love how 11 years later you still cherish that day she found her dress. ❤
Michaela is getting married in May. She is so amazingly on top of details so early in the game. I will proudly share pictures when they get married. 🙂
Diana xo
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cyclingrandma said:
How wonderful you get to spend time with your daughter before the big event. Now the question is– what is the mother of the bride going to wear? hugs!
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dianasschwenk said:
Well Lisa, the wedding colours are red, black and silver. Bridesmaids are wearing black and I have always wanted a red dress! 😀
Diana xo
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bulldog said:
As I’m not a mother I can’t expound long words of wisdom, but relax and enjoy is all I can say… with my two daughters and my son that is what I did and had a good day all round… wish I’d had more kids, Grand children’s weddings are not quite the same…
You’ve never been married.??.. if I was closer I’d take a second wife and marry you just so you could experience the day… how did a beaut like you manage to outrun all the suitors that must have been after you???
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dianasschwenk said:
haha bulldog, I’m sure Linda would have something to say about that!!!
Diana xo
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Bonnie said:
What a great day for you both! My hunch is that like so much of mothering…it will just come to you! Xo
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dianasschwenk said:
haha you are probably right Bonnie – thank you! 🙂
Diana xo
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Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
Never have been (nor will I ever be): a mother of the bride; but as for all stressful situations, the best advice is remember to breathe: deeply and well – In AND Out.
Oh, and the (sliver of the; ) dress looks lovely and elegant: )
Best of luck with the whole Experience! But it sounds like you’re already off to a wonderful start: )
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Deb, it was a fun day and introduction to a new chapter of my daughter’s life. ❤
Diana xo
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viewpacific said:
Remember to enjoy your breathing each day up and including the event. Oh, and let stuff happen as it will. The sweetest and most memorable weddings I’ve been to had something go “wrong”, and then it all pulled together for the best.
Vincent
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Vincent, that sounds like great advice…breathe, let things happen…. got it! 🙂
Diana xo
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Letty said:
Dear Diana
What a wonderful sweet story! And your baby girl is getting married – not sure how that’s possible since I thought she was about 10!!! I experienced my son getting married last Sept. It was a day full of joy beyond belief! Enjoy every minute and do have a change of shoes for dancing all night!! Love to all!
Blessings,
Letty
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dianasschwenk said:
Great advice Letty, thank you! Michaela is 20 now, she will be 21 by the time she gets married in May. I hope all is well with you and your family Letty. ❤
Diana xo
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billgncs said:
A great day!
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dianasschwenk said:
A great milestone day Bill! Seriously, where does the time go?
Diana xo
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billgncs said:
when we fill the days with love, time is never a burden Diana 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
so true Bill!
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