When I was in high school, finding clothes that fit was a difficult often humiliating experience (to say the least).
But when the time came to find a dress for formal dances, it was a nightmare.
My senior year, I started looking for my senior ball dress weeks before the event.
I wanted to be prepared in case the inevitable happened…
Which of course it did.
When I expressed my concern over the likelihood that I would not find a dress, my sister Tashi said not to worry.
She would take me on my search for a dress and no one knew how to shop like her.
Weeks later, after scouring literally every single mall/formal dress shop/ bridal shop(ew I know) we still had nothing.
And I wasn’t even being picky.
Not a single dress in the greater Sacramento area had fit.
Discouraged and humiliated, we made our way to the last possible option: the formal department in Nordstroms. I was mentally laughing to myself (in that desperate, crazy kind of way); I knew what kind of price tags the dresses in this area had.
And they were definitely out of my range.
When we got there, I walked around feeling like an impostor and shrinking under the saleswoman’s gaze.
But my sister is good at navigating those situations.
She walked right in there, chatting comfortably with the saleswoman, grabbed a handful of dresses and marched me back to the dressing room. It was a beautiful room with a large crystal chandelier, mirrors with front lighting (the kind that makes everyone look good) and a pedestal to stand on in the middle of every fitting room.
When I voiced my concerns about the price of the dresses, she waved me off saying, “it doesn’t hurt to try them on.”
I shrugged and started trying on.
There were only a few dresses, and the first three I tried on fit just a poorly as every other one I had previously encountered.
So big that no amount of altering would do any good.
But then Tashi pulled out the last dress. It was a long pencil shaped dress in a soft blue with a sheer chiffon overlay, and it was covered top to bottom in silver beads woven in intricate patterns all over the dress.
I had never seen a dress like that.
It was like a slim Cinderella.
I pulled in on without any expectations of it fitting, and my sister zipped it up.
No drooping of the darts, no ridiculously large waist, besides being a little long (an obstacle easily overcome) it fit perfectly.
and I mean it hugged curves I didn’t even know I had.
All I could think was “Holy Crap. It fits.”
My sister was going bananas. All but jumping up and down, telling me I looked hot and this was the dress, we were getting it!
I picked up the price tag which was hanging conspicuously at my side.
Then I swallowed hard.
$298
I looked up at my sister.
“Can’t do it.”
She set her mouth in that way that she does and said,
“Cori, we’re buying this dress.”
I protested.
“Tashi, this is a 300 dollar dress. I am not buying a 300 dollar dress. I don’t even have 300 dollars. I have a hundred dollars.” (and even that was pushing it for me.)
She looked at me again and repeated herself.
“We are buying this dress.”
I shrugged mumbling something about how I was sure we’d find another dress somewhere, and then I stepped out of the gown and hung it back on the hanger.
Then my sister did something I will never forget.
She looked right at me, picked up the hanger and said, “We are getting this dress. I’ll pay for the rest of it myself.”
She picked up her purse, marched over to the counter and bought my senior ball dress.
Ten years later that dress is still hanging in my closet, right next to my wedding dress. It’s the only formal dress I kept from high school.
I will never get rid of it.
When Hannah gets older I’ll pull it out and tell her the story of how Aunt Tashi, who was only 19, living on her own and paying her own bills, took money she probably didn’t really have to spend, and bought me a dress.
So that I could wear something that fit.
Something that made me feel more like a woman than a little girl.
And I’ll tell her how it was the first time in my life when I really felt like I was worth something to someone.
And every time I look at that dress I remember what my sister did for me.
How she taught me that even though I was small, I was still a woman, and I could dress like one.
And the older I get, the more amazed I am that at 19 she understood how important it was for me to understand that about myself.
Oh my gosh, I have written you before about how much I wish that you lived by me because you would be such an amazing person to hang out with. And you are from SACTO? I live in Sacto!!!!!!
Hi Cori, I’ve been following your blog for quite a long time now. I’ve never left a comment though. I always felt a bit like a blog stalker. Reading your posts and loving your outfits from afar. This post really tugged at my heart. I’ve always loved your blog and getting to know about you as a person. That story is so beautiful!! It made me tear up at that kind of sisterly love<3 Thank you for sharing it. I have 3 daughters and I hope they will share this same beautiful love for each other. Your secret admirer blog stalker is now out of the closet;) Love, Candy from http://www.candysclothescloset.blogspot.com ps. I couldn’t see the pics either. But it didn’t matter, because the beauty was the story:)
This is a lovely post! I grew up with 2 sisters and now have 3 little girls of my own. I totally get that bond between sisters. And hallelujah that more stores are carrying petite sizes these days!
Aww that is such a sweet story! You really can’t beat the love of a sibling. it is remarkable. Glad you had such a wise sister to help you through awkward teenage years.
This made me cry, and sounds like something my sister would do for me! In fact, she has! When my daughter was just tiny, and I was living by myself with a new baby and very little $ (long story) she went to walmart with me and together we collected a HUGE basket of groceries. I went up to pay (charge it) and she stepped ahead and paid for it all. It’s taken us almost 30 years to finally get along after fighting our whole lives….I wouldn’t trade her for the world!
Crimany! I started crying when I read this. I felt like a bawl baby, but it made me remember how much I have always looked up to my older sister and I can only HOPE that I am that good to my little sis. What a good sister you have. Not everyone does so we get to count ourselves as lucky.
This brings tears to my eyes. What an amazing gift your sister did for you- she taught you an incredible lesson about love, selflessness and generosity- and that is truly priceless. You are so lucky to have such an amazing sister- and to recognize that! I bet your parents are proud! Thanks for sharing.
This is the sweetest story. It makes me want to call my sister. Aw, sisterly love is the best! I also love your outfit here! Great skirt and great blouse!
This is a beautiful story and had me in tears just thinking of my little sister that I love so much! Thanx for sharing and reminding me of the wonderfulness of family.
oh this makes me smile and cry at the same time! I have three daughters and would hope they would show each other this kind of love!
Oh my gosh, I have written you before about how much I wish that you lived by me because you would be such an amazing person to hang out with. And you are from SACTO? I live in Sacto!!!!!!
for some reason im not able to view the pics at all :(
love the heart felt posts and cant wait for your friday post :)
I think I fixed the picture problem. ;-)
Hi Cori, I’ve been following your blog for quite a long time now. I’ve never left a comment though. I always felt a bit like a blog stalker. Reading your posts and loving your outfits from afar. This post really tugged at my heart. I’ve always loved your blog and getting to know about you as a person. That story is so beautiful!! It made me tear up at that kind of sisterly love<3 Thank you for sharing it. I have 3 daughters and I hope they will share this same beautiful love for each other. Your secret admirer blog stalker is now out of the closet;) Love, Candy from http://www.candysclothescloset.blogspot.com ps. I couldn’t see the pics either. But it didn’t matter, because the beauty was the story:)
what a kind gesture! your sister sounds like an awesome person.
This is a lovely post! I grew up with 2 sisters and now have 3 little girls of my own. I totally get that bond between sisters. And hallelujah that more stores are carrying petite sizes these days!
I am now dying to see a picture of the dress! I am sure we would all enjoy it. :)
Aww that is such a sweet story! You really can’t beat the love of a sibling. it is remarkable. Glad you had such a wise sister to help you through awkward teenage years.
Such a sweet story!! Can we see a pic of you in the dress? Such beautiful girls you both are! :)
That is the best story EVER.
Such a great story! I love the bond between sisters, it is everlasting.
Such a beautiful story – and I agree with a few of the other ladies… let’s see the dress!
I love this story! So sweet :)
Seriously tears in my eyes. Totally want to see the dress. Love you guys!
aww..i wish i had a sister…but all i got were 2 brothers :/. lol..great story!
This made me cry, and sounds like something my sister would do for me! In fact, she has! When my daughter was just tiny, and I was living by myself with a new baby and very little $ (long story) she went to walmart with me and together we collected a HUGE basket of groceries. I went up to pay (charge it) and she stepped ahead and paid for it all. It’s taken us almost 30 years to finally get along after fighting our whole lives….I wouldn’t trade her for the world!
what a beautiful story…and what a wonderful sister you have. You are blessed. :)
I loved reading this. Thanks for a little pick-me-up today. You and your sister are beautiful.
Oh man this brought me to tears:) Nothing like a sister!
Gosh, make me cry!
Crimany! I started crying when I read this. I felt like a bawl baby, but it made me remember how much I have always looked up to my older sister and I can only HOPE that I am that good to my little sis. What a good sister you have. Not everyone does so we get to count ourselves as lucky.
Your sister is an incredibly beautiful person inside and out! What a blessing. ;)
This brings tears to my eyes. What an amazing gift your sister did for you- she taught you an incredible lesson about love, selflessness and generosity- and that is truly priceless. You are so lucky to have such an amazing sister- and to recognize that! I bet your parents are proud!
Thanks for sharing.
This story made me smile – and I love your sister’s outfit!
what an amazing sister! thanks for sharing; this is such a great story!! you two are lucky to have each other.
love this. love sisters. :)
I can view them now.. So Sweet of your sis to do that. Can we get a glimpse of that dress :)
This is the sweetest story. It makes me want to call my sister. Aw, sisterly love is the best! I also love your outfit here! Great skirt and great blouse!
You could have satisfied our curiosity and posted a picture of yourself in that dress. (If such a picture exists.) What a beautiful story.
What a wonderful sister!!
This is a beautiful story and had me in tears just thinking of my little sister that I love so much! Thanx for sharing and reminding me of the wonderfulness of family.
Natalie
http://www.projectdowhatyoulove.wordpress.com
Sisters are the greatest! This is such a sweet story. :]
Love you! Love your sis! Loved this post! So much.
brought tears to my eyes. reminds me of my sister and how important she is to me. Thanks for sharing this!
You are so beautiful and I LOVE your style! You are amazing!! Lovely post! I found your blog on the shine project!
Tash…, always so generous. Sweet girl! And you look like such a BABE in these pics! Um..where are you guys? Temple grounds?
Okay..no. No, you’re not on temple grounds. Had to re-check the pics. lol.