“Good.”
We finish drinking our coffee then head out to do the “morning chores” as Sarah calls them. We walk down to where the animals are so she can show me how to feed everyone, what needs to be cleaned, and where to look for eggs.
“Now, the ducks can be tricky because they will lay eggs almost anywhere, so you have to look around everywhere.”
“Got it. Watch out for duck bombs.”
It’s amazing watching her with her animals. You can tell they all love her just as much as she loves them. They always crowd around her and make, what I can only assume, are happy sounds.
Afterwards, we get ready and head to the bookstore. She closed it for the weekend but still wants to check on it and make sure the bird feeders are full.
She really has transformed the place so much since the first time I saw it. It’s floor to ceiling bookshelves on every wall with rolling ladders. Window benches filled with pillows and so many comfortable places to sit and read.
The outside area, when it’s set up, is just as amazing. White iron tables and chairs surrounded by big potted plants with vines growing up out of them that lead to fairy lights that cross back and forth over the area. Then there is a little stone trail that leads you to the bird feeders. She even has a special area for native flowers for the butterflies and hummingbirds.
It’s exactly how she always told me it would be.
“All done,” she says as she closes the lids on the big bins she keeps the seed in.
“I still can’t get over this place. It’s literally how you used to describe it when we were younger.”
She looks around.
“It really is. Chris and Troy really made my dreams come true, making this place look perfect for me.”
I turn my head and roll my eyes. She slaps my shoulder playfully.
“Oh, stop it.”
“Whatever, at least he’s good for something,” I snark.
Her eyes grow wide.
“Troy. I would never say that about Chris. Come on now.”
We leave the bookstore and head to the bridal store. I try on my dress first. It is a long chiffon dress in blush pink. It has a very delicate lace overlay, a high neckline, a deep drop on the back and a Cinderella type skirt.. Since I am the only person on her side of the bridal party, she told me the color, and gave me free rein on the style. Her only request was that it was long.
“Oh gosh, Chrissy. It’s so pretty,” Sarah says.
I turn in the mirror, watching as the bottom of the dress floats off the ground.
“And it fits perfectly,” I say and take one more look before returning to the dressing room.
I give the lady my dress so she can wrap it and wait patiently for Sarah to come out in hers.She climbs onto the risers, and her eyes start to water.
“You better get all that crying out now, no crying after your makeup is done,” I joke even though my own eyes are leaking as I watch her stare at herself in the mirror. She’s stunning.
She sniffles as a seamstress moves in next to her, pulling here and pushing there.
“How does it feel?” the lady asks her.
“It feels amazing.” She shakes her butt and puts her hands in the air. “I’ll be able to dance all night in it.”
“Perfect. You can leave it hanging on the hook in your changing room, and I will get it wrapped.”
“Thank you.”
She steps down, and I am still in awe of how beautiful she is.