My Cinderella Moment

Once upon a time, there was a lovely girl named Ella, who was despised by her stepmother and stepsisters because of her beauty.  The evil stepmother made Ella do all the chores, leaving her covered in dust and ash.  Her wicked stepsisters nicknamed her "Cinderella" because of this.

Every little girl, and an untold number of little boys knows the story of Cinderella.  The kind, beautiful daughter who was orphaned by her parents and left to the devices of her insanely jealous step witches…that is, until her fairy godmother granted her the most amazing wish! A beautiful dress, complete with shiny, glass slippers, a sparkling coach pulled by two white horses (who just happened to be mice and Ella's best friends, Gus and Jaq), and a few hours at the Prince's ball.  Of course, as in any fairy tale, there was a condition - Cinderella must return home before the twelfth stroke of midnight.  All magic has limits in fairy tales!

Cinderella.  Although the name was meant to be demeaning, it rolls off the tongue beautifully, and even looks lovely typed on the page.  Four-year-old Missy wanted to be Cinderella so badly, and almost had her chance!  As my stepfather's adoption of me was becoming final, Mom asked me if I would like to change my name.  I vividly remember my excitement as I shouted, "Yes!  I want to be named 'Cinderella-Dressed-In-Yella!'"  My fairy godmother was obviously napping or on vacation at the time, because I was not granted that wish, but rather my last name was changed from Young to Pierce.  

There is a much higher Power than fairy godmothers, however, who has been preparing me for my very own Cinderella moment!  Those who know me or follow my blog (all three of my followers actually do know me, btw), know about my gastric sleeve procedure in October of 2014.  My God, my Father, whose love for me knows no bounds, provided a way for that to happen.  See!  Who needs fairy godmothers when you've got the real Deal working in your life!

My 48th birthday fell just two days before my surgery was scheduled, and my Prince Charming, knowing my dream of wearing the iconic "little black dress," presented me with the most gorgeous, black lace dress to keep as an incentive and goal.  She has hung inside my closet door as a constant reminder of my very own Cinderella moment to come.

This past Friday, I packed her in my suitcase and took her to San Antonio for her big debut - The Little Black Dress Date that once seemed as if it would never happen…was about to come true!

My Charming and I drove the four hours to San Antonio and checked into our room at the Marriott on the Riverwalk.  Our first blessing was an upgrade to the Executive Suite overlooking the Riverwalk!  You might say it was our palace for two nights!  I could hardly wait for our bellhop, Warren, to leave the room so I could commence my squeals of delight!  I did refrain, however, from jumping on the bed!

We did some touristy things that night and during the day on Saturday, both of us anticipating the big event.  Emily had shown me a new way to fix my unruly curls after covering my natural platinum highlights for me earlier in the week, so I anxiously began the ritual of getting ready.  No fairy godmother to wave her magic wand was available.  I couldn't believe how nervous I was!  What if Todd was disappointed?  What if we had built this up so much, and it didn't live up to our expectations?    Get behind me, Satan!  This is our moment!  I pressed on!  (I did, however, have to call Emily for a refresher course on that updo.  She sent me an instructional video.  My fairy goddaughter…)

At last, it was time.  Time to slip on the LBD and allow Todd to see me.  I was trembling as I buckled my shoes (which I can now do without any breathlessness, btw).  I felt like a princess.  My Cinderella moment had arrived.  I believe I was more nervous than on our wedding day!  He waited anxiously for my to emerge from my dressing room (aka the bathroom).

It was a magical moment!  I honestly do not remember a time when I ever felt so glamorous or beautiful!  And then, it was time for my Prince Charming and I to go on our big LBD Date!

We began the evening by walking across the street to Ruth's Chris Steak House on the River.

Dinner was simply amazing!  Delicious steak, with sides of shoestring potatoes for him and fresh asparagus with Hollandaise sauce for me, live music, and great conversation!  After dinner, we asked a couple of strangers to take our photo.

Pretty boring pose, huh?

Then, we went to Howl at the Moon!

We had a blast, but just like Cinderella and Prince Charming, our night on the town was cut short...not by a clock's bell tolling, but by alerts on our phones warning of bad storms coming our way!  We decided we'd better head back to the hotel...FAST!

As we began our journey back to the hotel, WITHOUT our umbrella, the heavens opened up and the wind began to blow with near-hurricane force!  In traditional Cinderella fashion, my shoes came off, although it was intentional on my part.  Like two drowning mice, we scurried down the Riverwalk, laughing and just trying not to fall in the river!  Finally, we arrived back at the Marriott, a little wet, but safe and sound.

The nice lady who snapped this photo for us told us that she had seen us leaving the hotel and had commented to her husband about how pretty I looked, one of the sweetest things a stranger has ever said to me!  She also informed us that downtown San Antonio was under tornado WARNING!!!

It was the perfect ending to a perfectly beautiful night!  It could have "dampened" our spirits (pun intended), but we never stopped smiling!  We asked for a memorable evening, and we certainly got it!  

Cinderella and I do have some things in common, but our similarities go beyond shiny slippers, a dreamy night out, and Prince Charming.  Cinderella was covered in dust and ashes as a result of the cruelty imposed upon her by her wicked stepmonsters, I was covered in 65 extra pounds of ME as a result of years of self-loathing, lack of confidence, and depression.  We each emerged from our own prisons to realize the joys of inhabiting our beauty (not necessarily physical beauty, but instead inner beauty) and living life to its fullest...with our Prince Charmings.  Unlike Cinderella, my story will not have the words "The End" scrolling across the screen, but rather "To Be Continued!"

Dreams really do come true!