I love these girls and I’m so thankful for the little part of my week I get to to spend with them.  They lift me and make me want to be better in everything I do.  They are funny, insightful, vibrant, spiritual, beautiful, young women.  We recently had so much fun when we traveled to Veronica Michaels, and were met by the proprietor of the shop Leslie Carr.  She made us feel so welcome and opened not only her beautiful store up to the girls but she also opened her heart to us….She talked with them about her love for the temple and graciously shared her testimony with us.  It was wonderful to be there with her.  It took me back to a time I long for.  The days of mom and pop stores, of feeling special from the minute you walked in the door and were greeted by your first name.

I can still remember the names of different people whose businesses I frequented.  I bought my shoes from Roger, and my 501’s from Smiley.  If  I was headed to the Neola rodeo and needed western wear then Bumps was the man I saw.  Uncle Bob filled my prescriptions when I was sick…and Dottie helped me at the counter and always had a special treat to slip in my bag.  When I was hungry I sat myself at the counter of Marions where I was served the best ever BBQ hamburger by Eldon. I loved being able to walk across the street from my mom’s shop and visit my friend Penny who was working at her mom’s shop.

This is the feeling you get in Leslie’s shop.  The girls were treated like princesses.  They were each given a  beautiful embroidered robe and a dressing room and then they were turned loose with all those wedding dresses.  Leslie only asked one thing of each of them…..and that was to only try on gowns that they could wear in the temple.  Sister Clayson and I sat back and let the fashion show begin.  It was so much fun.  The girls each looked so beautiful dressed in white.

Thank you Danette for such a fab idea, and thank you again to Leslie for giving us your time and sharing your beautiful store with us.  And a great big thank you to Kayla, Jade, Crysta, Sheliese and Morgan for letting me share in this time in your life….for trying to keep me up with teenage trends and for never making me feel dumb when I act my age with you.  I love you girls and I truly am grateful for the time I get to spend with you.

<3 Sonnet