If this dress could talk…

I want to share something about a not so little dress. I wore this September 9, 1995 at the age of 25 on my wedding day. It had the longest train and was so heavy….

I wore it to a Princess party with my little Prince and Princess in 2005…..35 years old.

I was divorced in 2009, at 39 and the dress went on another adventure…….Trash the Dress photo shoot which was on my bucket list!

This month, 44 years old I donated this same dress to NICU Helping Hands to make angel gowns…..they started in 2013 for families who have lost a baby. They provide a gift of a beautiful custom made gown for final photos and services.

This dress took me on new adventures each and every time. Some very happy ones that gave me three kids I love so dearly. (2) of those kiddos (the twin’s) were in the NICU and we were so blessed to have everything ok. I cannot even begin to imagine. At 39 it gave me a kick in the satin booty to step up and find myself, laugh again, and grow. At the age of 44 it is about giving back and seeing where I can make a difference. Even if it is just removing one small item from my closet and giving it to a seamstress, Barbara who will create something for a special family. Barbara said she would share what she makes with me and I will make sure to share it.

Funny where one little dress can take you. Stay tuned…….

Remind yourself that there’s scarcely any happiness, passion or success without struggle. If the road is easy, you’re likely going the wrong way. Everything that happens helps you grow, even if it’s hard to see right now. Circumstances will direct you, correct you, and perfect you over time. Sometimes these circumstances knock you down, hard. There will be times when it seems like everything that could possibly go wrong is going wrong. And you might feel like you will be stuck in this rut forever, but you won’t. When you feel like quitting, remember that sometimes things have to go very wrong before they can be right. Sometimes you have to go through the worst, to arrive at your best. Because our most significant opportunities are often found in times of great difficulty. Thus, you will face your greatest opposition when you are closest to your biggest miracle.”

25 Comments

annie vanderven on February 21, 2015 at 6:12 am

. You have no idea how much your sharing helps. Thank you.

Annie v.
Reply
- Tracy Weinzapfel on February 21, 2015 at 4:01 pm
  
  I appreciate hearing that!
  Reply
alice on February 21, 2015 at 6:36 am

tracy, you always impress me as such a remarkable lady, i love to read your posts and see where life is taking you. to see how you’re growing and stretching your wings. i had never heard of this project your dress is involved in now – can’t wait to see what barbara does with your beautiful dress!
Reply
- Tracy Weinzapfel on February 21, 2015 at 4:04 pm
  
  Thank you so much Alice! I will make sure to share
  Reply
Karen P on February 21, 2015 at 6:48 am

Awesome Tracy!!
Reply
- Tracy Weinzapfel on February 21, 2015 at 4:00 pm
  
  ♥
  Reply
mjmarmo on February 21, 2015 at 7:26 am

I recently heard of this organization and am actually debating donating my dress. Congrats to you for doing it.
Reply
- Tracy Weinzapfel on February 21, 2015 at 4:00 pm
  
  I was ready Jean and that was important with such a special item.
  Reply
Heather on February 21, 2015 at 1:42 pm

Love this. Great photos shoot. Fun pictures. I love what you did in the end. You have such a warm heart. You inspire all.
Reply
- Tracy Weinzapfel on February 21, 2015 at 3:59 pm
  
  Thanks Heather! ♥
  Reply
Debbie Dunham on February 21, 2015 at 6:56 pm

OMG Loved the trash the dress photos! I think they should start a new tv series….Trash The Dress….LOL.. Glad to see that it’s going to a worthy cause!
Reply
- Tracy Weinzapfel on February 22, 2015 at 9:48 am
  
  Thanks Debbie!!!
  Reply
Lori Garrett on February 21, 2015 at 11:26 pm

Such a beautiful story ty
Reply
- Tracy Weinzapfel on February 22, 2015 at 8:42 am
  
  Thanks Lori!
  Reply
Terry on February 22, 2015 at 9:56 am

You have no idea how much it means to the family losing child, to hold that child in a beautiful gown. Bless you for doing this.
Reply
- Tracy Weinzapfel on February 22, 2015 at 11:39 am
  
  Terry……….thank you for your words. sorry for your loss. ♥ it was such a small thing ♥
  Reply
Kathy gledsdale on February 22, 2015 at 3:20 pm

A very touching story. You looked gorgeous in your dress and I am sure it will help others now.
Reply
- Tracy Weinzapfel on February 22, 2015 at 7:16 pm
  
  Thanks Kathy! I so hope!
  Reply
Vicki Bills on February 22, 2015 at 9:45 pm

You wear it well! Looks like you and the dress have shared so many moments growing up together. Now it will still keep on giving serving a good purpose. Life is a crazy journey but you will triumph! Making something good when things go bad. Turning it around. Learning. Growing. Caring about others. Love your blog.
Reply
- Tracy Weinzapfel on February 23, 2015 at 8:00 am
  
  Thank you Vicki! Love your words. I always know that things have a way of working out and that dress is an example ♥
  Reply
Martika Burgos on February 22, 2015 at 10:13 pm

Beautiful gesture! So proud of you Tracy , you are such a inspiration , and loving your story as well ,God Bless you always XoXo <3
Reply
- Tracy Weinzapfel on February 23, 2015 at 8:01 am
  
  Thank Martha! Hugs and love to you! ♥ XOXOXO
  Reply
Maggs on February 23, 2015 at 3:56 pm

Awesome photos. Such a mixture of emotions throughout this journey of yours, but every adventure we go on, makes us who we are xx
Reply
- Tracy Weinzapfel on February 28, 2015 at 2:34 pm
  
  Thanks Maggs!
  Reply
Vanessa Wachlin on November 15, 2015 at 8:26 pm

Love this story
~VanessaW
Reply

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.