Fairy Godmother

To many, this time of year is all about Turkey Bowls, falling leaves, and at our house, birthday celebrations and BCS rankings.

But for me personally, well, I always think about my prom dress.

I'm sure you're wondering why this is the case, since proms are always in the spring. Yes, that is true. But for me, I bought my prom dress the week before Thanksgiving. And I loved that dress, oh yes I did.

Now, before you all get on your high horse about how it's totally lame that small town Utah folk buy big, poofy prom dresses in November (before they even have a date, mind you!) let me add a little bit of evidence to defend myself. You have to understand where I'm coming from.

I grew up in a little town, and one of the most prominent businesses on Main was Lila Lee's. A boutique dress shop with an entire basement full of gowns and formals. I'm talking wall-to-wall sparkles, poofs and ruffles.

When I was a little girl LilaLee herself would give me a call in November and let me know that all of the dresses had arrived. So I'd hop on my blue Schwinn bike with the daisy-banana seat and white wicker basket and peddle myself right to the store.

And she was always waiting for me, greeting me with, "Hey kid! How are you today?"

I'd first stop by the cash register and check out all of the earrings hanging on the little racks. Oh, how I wanted to wear those long, dangling earrings. But Mom said I was too young to wear them.

And then, I'd follow LilaLee down the stairs and into what felt like my own little princess closet. She'd turn on the lights just right and then walk me around from rack to rack, showing me all of the new formals and dresses that had just arrived for the upcoming prom season.

So naturally, when it was my Prom, I didn't know any different; I'd been going down to the store every November since I was in the second grade. So to buy my prom dress in November was, well...normal.

The funny thing about the dress I chose is that before I started trying on dresses I already had my mind made up that I was NOT, under any circumstance, going to buy a big, poofy dress with ruffles. Nope. No way. No how. I wanted something red or royal blue, and was hoping for the latest mermaid style. I'd even put my order with Lila over the summer so she could be on the look-out while she was at market.

There were a few red and blues on the racks that I tried on. They were okay, just okay. And then Lila pulled out a pale, aqua dress with the most delicate crystal bead work on the front. I frowned and reminded her again I didn't want a dress with ruffles. Especially this one with poofy sleeves too. But she said, "Oh, what's the harm. You've been looking at dresses your whole life. Just give it a try." So I marched back to the corner dressing room and put on the dress.

And when I stepped up onto the platform and looked in the mirrors, I'm telling you, it was magical. I was sold. I loved that dress. I loved it, I just loved it! And the decision was made.

Years passed by, and I still found myself going to the store again and again to watch my sisters and cousins pick out the perfect prom dress. And even after I graduated from school, every now and then I'd stop in and Lila would take me downstairs to see the latest fashions.

Unfortunately, this year she was forced to close the store. If this car hadn't been in my way, I could have taken a better picture and you'd be able to see the sad sign in her window that says, "Thank You For Your Business."

A gasoline leak at a gas station up the road contaminated the surrounding soil, and the fumes ruined all of her inventory.

A sad day for a phenomenal little-town business that truly is a prom dress institution.

When I'm home for Christmas I hope to make one last stop at the store and take a few pictures with LilaLee.

After all, she is a big part of my Thanksgiving memories and the wise woman...my very own fairy godmother... who knew which dress was the perfect one for me.