Thursday, August 05, 2010

Mommy's Good Old Days - 7th Grade

The year I turned 13 brought about many new and exciting changes. I felt like my world was finally opening, I shed the chains of elementary school and fully embraced my new life as a teenager. (All sarcasm and extreme drama intended.)

It would be a thrilling year of sleepovers with new classmates, first "real" crushes and entering the youth group, which was a watershed moment for most kids in our church. I found new self-confidence (read :: obnoxious pride) and in all my self-proclaimed maturity, I was probably more silly and immature than in years past. But, as most middle-schoolers are, I was sure I was the coolest 13 year old around and that the world was my doorstep.

But probably the most exciting thing about my 7th grade year was what happened the summer before - my brother got married!

Kevin was marrying his high school sweetheart, Trena, and I think I was as excited as they were! The summer was filled with showers and planning and I even got to search for apartments with them. But the best, most exciting part of my brother's wedding? I got to be a bridesmaid!

What 13 year old wouldn't have jumped at the chance to be in a wedding? I had never been a flower girl, a point of which caused much jealousy towards my flower-girl friends, and I loved the idea of participating in a wedding. So when my soon-to-be sister-in-law asked me, I didn't have to think twice about saying yes.

She chose hunter green bridesmaid's dresses, made of satin with "poofed" short sleeves and a bow in the back (think Laura Ashley - this was 1990). I was able to get my first pair of high heeled shoes (small pumps, really) and we had them dyed to match the dress perfectly. I practiced walking in those shoes around the house, certain I needed to get used to all the thin air my head now occupied. I'm sure I thought all eyes would be on me on their special day.

The day of the wedding came and I carried a single lily, draped ever-so-elegantly over my arm and adorned with pearls and taffeta down the aisle. I cried when my brother said his vows and dreamed of what a romantic moment like this would be for me someday. We celebrated at the reception afterwards and wished the happy couple off into newlywed bliss. It all seemed so perfect and romantic to me.

The only high that would top this one in my young life came a few years later when my first niece was born . . .


post-script: Kevin and Trena celebrate 20 years of marriage this month. Happy Anniversary, you guys! Yours was the first love story I saw first-hand and it swept me off my feet, too! Love you both!

7 comments:

Ginny Marie said...

Wow, you got to be a bridesmaid when you were so young! I think every girl wants to be a bridesmaid...until they are still single and 30, like I was! :)
What fun memories!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

How sweet. Since our oldest got married and I was pregnant with number 6, but his siblings, two of them were 14 and 9...it will be such fun to hear their memories of that summer....really how precious that that was the highlight of your year.
Thanks for joining the journey...enjoying reading your post!

Gretchen said...

Donette,

I didn't REALIZE until I read your post that 7th grade was 20 years ago for us. . . oh sole mio. Feeling old. :)

TWENTY YEARS AGO??? Well, I am 32, so that stands to reason. Holy COW!

I would have loooooved to be a bridesmaid at that age, too!

gianna said...

Wow! Gretchen got it right. 20 years! Wow! I was always upset that I didn't get to be a flower girl, too. Maybe that's why I had 2 in my wedding when I got married! How cool to be in your brother's wedding. And at 13, nothing could be as romantic!

Janna said...

I smiled and giggled my way through this post. You captured the essence of attitude most jr highers have in such rich vocabulary and description.

I used to think those dye your shoes to match your dress were so cool!

Really great writing and storytelling Donnette!

Elizabeth said...

This is fun. I'm enjoying learning about your growing up years!

Missy said...

I could actually SEE your dress and shoes as I read this! :-)