Welcome back to our summer Fashion Friday series which looks back at people’s most memorable fashion moments. Not necessarily our favorite or most stunning, but a special item that remains lodged in our memories. You’ve met Cathryn, Brandy, and today you meet my best friend, Mary. Mary’s fashion memory isn’t even so much her own as it is her husband’s memory of her. Welcome Mary to Fashion Fridays.
I just celebrated 21 years of marriage to the most wonderful man. Last year, one of my family members got sick and Rick welcomed her into our home so she could get treatment at the Med Center. It’s not easy having someone basically move in with you. And he works from home, so having another person there during the day cramps his work schedule. But he makes her meals, drives her to appointments when she’s too weak, and picks her up from the airport. He has shown me the meaning of a true partner, and I’m grateful for him and his support.
About 23 years ago, I worked for him in a part-time job when I was in college.
He was fun and charming and paid attention to me the way boys my age couldn’t. I was dating someone at the time, so I didn’t really pay much attention to him in that way. But after I broke up with my boyfriend, Rick asked me out and the rest is history.
He’s told me many times he fell in love with me wearing a navy blue polka dot dress.
This is the only photo I could find of me in the dress, and there he is in the photo too (obviously drawn to me in that dress!). Actually, I don’t think it was dress, but I think it was culottes. Ick!
My fashion style has definitely changed over the years. I remember in college then I typically shopped at a local department store called “The Popular” which is also where I got my first credit card. I felt so grown-up!
I was in a sorority and we had to dress for our weekly meetings – I’m talking dresses, panty hose, and lots of make-up. The ‘90s loved polka dotted women’s fashion (think Pretty Woman’s iconic dress), but this outfit doesn’t lodge in my mind. Instead, when I think of what I wore when Rick and I began to date, I think me getting dressed up for my sorority meeting and then meeting him after the meeting at a college spot.
But yet, it’s this dress (we’ll just call it that) he remembers the most. So even though it’s not my favorite fashion statement from the decade, I love what it meant to him and I love looking at us in a picture all those years ago.
It’s funny looking at those versions of us and thinking about all that’s happened in the 20+ years since it was taken. My, were those kids in for a wonderful and crazy ride!
I think as a tribute to him, I need to buy a new navy polka-dotted dress. Maybe this one from Nordstrom?
Yes Mary – buy that dress!! 🙂