Back in late September Natalie went and tried on wedding dresses because she didn’t want to be time crunched if something went wrong. She tried on dress after dress and nothing seemed to be clicking with her. That was until her mom picked a dress out for her. Natalie loved the beading, and the small sweetheart neckline was just perfect.

Obviously Natalie had already had her first wedding to Tyler and now that she knew for sure that Pat was her official knight in shining armor she wanted everything to be perfect. When she tried the dress on she got tears in her eyes, her mom paid for it too. “Patrick is going to love you in this dress honey.” Her mom said taking out her check book. “Mom, you don’t have to do this. Pat and I agreed that we were going to pay for the dress.” But all she did was shake her head, “Nope, remember when you came home because you had that dilemma between Pat and Jon? And I told you that I always believed that you were going to end up with Pat?” Natalie nodded when necessary, “Well I want to help, and that’s final.” She said smiling signing her name on the twister themed check.

Now Natalie had to do this on her own. She didn’t have her mommy to support her any more. She was all alone. So before the dress fitting she broke down, “Erica, I can’t do this.” She told her soon to be sister in law, “My mom picked out that dress, and once I put it on, all it’s going to do is remind me of her!” She whined. Erica rubbed her shoulders, “Natalie, she wanted you to wear that dress down the aisle, she wanted you to marry my brother.” “I know, I know,” Natalie said wiping her tears, “But I just don’t know if I can do it.” Erica stood up, “Well there’s one way to find out.” Erica grabbed Natalie’s hand and dragged her to the bridal store. Once they went inside they were instantly greeted by the woman in black with a name tag with Terri on it that was running their appointment when they first bought the dress.

“Hi girls, are you here for the final dress fitting?” She said with the cheesy smile on her face. Erica quickly nodded while Nat was still sort of hesitant to continue the process. Terri led them downstairs in alterations where the dress was hanging. Erica sat outside the curtain while Terri helped Natalie into the wedding dress of her dreams. Lacing the two silk strings together, the corset gripped her body tightly but comfortably. Natalie had her eyes closed standing in front of the mirror. She didn’t want to spoil the moment before the dress was even on yet. Once the corset was fully on, Terri fixed the skirt of the dress so that the gown was straight without any wrinkles. “Alright Natalie, open your eyes.” But she kept them closed. Terri stayed silent, her smile soon fading when Natalie didn’t respond. “Terri, I’m scared.” Terri seemed to take it as a joke and laughed, “What are you scared of?” Natalie kept her eyes closed, “I’m scared that I’ll see my mom in this dress. She picked it out because it looks like the one she wore.” “Oh honey,” Terri went and comforted her with a hug as Erica went and peeked her head into the curtain. “Is everything okay?” She said in barely a whisper.

Erica went over, and was told what the situation was. “Oh, Natalie, it’s okay. You look like you. You look like beautiful, tall, confident you that I know and love.” A small smile appeared on Natalie’s face as she slowly opened her eyes. She looked at herself in the mirror and looked at all the beading as she had the first time she tried it on. She ran her fingers along the flower pattern. That was her favorite part, she liked that there was a summery feel to the dress. It was light and flowing and her smile lit up the dressing room as soon as she felt confident in the dress again. “That’s the Natalie I know and love.” Erica said finally happy that her bride was happy again.

They were happy with the final fitting, they took the dress home and kept it at Erica’s house so Pat wouldn’t see it before the wedding. “I can’t wait now E, I want my wedding to be today!” Erica laughed, “Nat, just calm down, we still have to fit all the bridesmaids’ dresses.