Style Doesn't Have A Size

You know what I love about hats?  Besides the fact that I think they are just adorable, I love that it doesn't matter how big or how small your body is.  You can wear a hat!  Same with scarves.  One size kind-of fits all.

I had an amazing day today with my hubby, my nieces, my sister and my mom at an adorable boutique near Philly.  I got that brown, cute little hat I'm wearing in the above picture, along with a super-stylish scarf-like-accessory. 

I think we tried on every possible thing in the store.  No hat was off limits.  We laughed and made memories...went to lunch together and I had the BEST spinach salad with roasted red peppers, mushrooms and grilled chicken!  There wasn't anything I didn't enjoy about this day.

You know...style doesn't have to be limited to size.  Though I have continually packed on the pounds over the years, I have tried to remain stylish.  Sometimes that wasn't easy.  Like the time I went shopping for my wedding dress.  This is a somewhat sad, but somewhat amazing story that I will always remember.

We didn't have a traditional wedding.  Neither of us wanted that.  We got married at a beautiful bed and breakfast on January 7, 2005.  I wanted it to be magical, but not traditional.  I didn't want the big white poofy dress and long, dragging train and veil.  I wanted to be stylish and look like ME.  But, just to confirm, I visited a bridal shop with my girlfriend Katy.

It was an obvious disappointed, as none of the pretty dresses were available for my plus sized body.  I tried on what they had.  And...I looked like a jumbo marshmallow.  No thank you.

So, my soon-to-be husband took me shopping at King of Prussia.  Since it was right around the holidays, there were gorgeous dresses aplenty!  But not for me.  Sorting through the plus-sized racks would have been more successful had I been the mother of the bride instead of the bride.  I didn't want sequined jackets or lacy butterflies.  I wanted something elegant and sassy.  And I really wanted pants.  (Because, if you've read "My Story" you will know that I haven't worn a dress since...high school?!)  Anyway, I digress...

Discouraged, we made a final stop at Strawbridge.  While Dan hit the little boys room, I looked over racks of beautiful clothing.  Small.  Medium.  Extra small.  'sigh'  I saw a sales associate.  Being tired and already worn out, I simply asked, "Do you have any plus size party dresses?"  (Prepare for a scene right out of the movie Pretty Woman)  She literally looked me over and, in her snarkiest voice, said, "We don't carry anything in YOUR size."

Humiliated and so very sad, I waited for Dan and then burst into tears.

Now for the happy part of the story.  Through a crazy and unusual situation, friends of mine called a few days later and had heard about my wedding dress woes.  They offered to make me my wedding attire.  These friends are amazing!  And I got exactly what I wanted.  Exactly.  (Pants and all!)  And I felt amazing that day.  Everything fit me perfectly and there is not a single thing I would change about our wedding.

It would be easy for me to wish that I had been thin at my wedding.  But, you know, my struggle with my weight has only drawn Dan and I closer in our marriage.  He has always been my biggest supporter and encourager.  He has never given up on me.  Ever.  Even when I had given up on myself.  Sometimes God has bigger plans for us than we can see, and our weaknesses and suffering is part of that picture.  

Of course, I will feel so proud the day I stand before my best friend (I'm married to him!) with a smokin' body!  And it will be nice to go into a store and buy anything I want off the rack.  And it will be fun to see how my style changes as my body changes.  But listen...if I start wearing nail polish to match my lean and green meals--well, maybe I've taken my style just a little too far! 

 Umm...that's my niece with her Ice Burg Lettuce colored nail polish, I swear!!!  

I don't eat carrots in my salad!!!