This dress tells my story. The oldest of five, I grew up taking care of others. I am very nurturing, so it came naturally. What I wasn’t so good at was taking care of myself. Several years ago, I dove into a journey of self-healing and empowerment, and in doing so I transformed myself in many ways. Despite sometimes grueling, often heart-wrenching life lessons, I learned how to balance my body/mind/spirit. Most things in life are about balance. Yet, I still wasn’t very good about self-care. Unlike a lot of women, I had never taken much care of things like hair, makeup, clothes, shoes and nails (I have had a manicure and pedicure only once in my life – when my sister requested, and paid for, one for me on her wedding day). Shortly after my divorce, a friend I have known for several years took me on a date. I spent a few minutes on my hair (which is more than I usually spent on my hair) and realized as I got ready that I didn’t really have a “date dress.” On the date he asked me, “You know, most women have a special hairdo they sometimes wear that they know looks great. Do you ever do that for yourself?” My response was, “No, I haven’t even been to a hair salon for 10 years. I cut my own hair. I seldom even spend money on clothes.” This was my aha moment. The next day I called a girlfriend who is a hairstylist and she took care of my hair. Then I went to my favorite consignment shop and bought some badly needed clothes. While I was walking to the dressing room, I spotted this beautiful long gown. I was drawn to it. I looked at the size, and it was my size (most long gowns are not my size because I am so petite). Then I looked at the price. It was only $25. So I tried it on. It fit me perfectly, as if it had been made for me. I felt magical in it. Yet, I struggled with spending $25 on it. It was a lot of money for me at the time, and it wasn’t something I really needed. Yet, I decided to take a brave step and do something completely nurturing for myself, something that made me feel magical and beautiful. . . I bought the dress. crop top mermaid formal dresses

So the dress is now my metaphor for taking care of myself. For truly balancing body/mind/spirit. It is my symbol for all women – to also do the things that call them to love themselves, to care for themselves, to do things that make them feel magical and valued and important.

So here’s to my dress! And here’s to all the beautiful women in the world (if you’re a woman and you’re reading this – yes, that means YOU!)!