You know that feeling you get when you watch a heart-felt reality moment on TV, like when they build a house for a family in need, or you see the underdog triumph? That lump that builds in your throat and the warmth in your heart that can't be explained? Multiply that by ten when you experience it in person. Nothing prepares you for the overwhelming emotion you feel when you witness first hand pure and honest humanity. This blog is so close to my heart because it is one of the most powerful moments so far in my business, as well as personally in my life. I hope we can all be more like Debbie - a risk taker, a positive force, pure courage in a wedding dress.

I recently got a message from an old high school friend Danielle. She told me how her aunt had been diagnosed with colon cancer, stopped treatment and was using her time to enjoy life by checking off one item after another off of her bucket list. Her aunt Debbie has went skydiving, rode a mechanical bull, bought her dream car - a Jeep, and took a cruise to the Bahamas! But even though she's an amazing mom to her son AJ, she never got to be a bride. Her sister Joanne reached out to local bridal shop Alfred Angelo's, to see if they could surprise Debbie with her own personal bridal session. Within a few hours, the shop replied right back telling Joanne they would open two hours early to give Debbie not only her own dress experience, but with complete privacy.

One blindfolded trip later, Debbie was guided into the shop and we caught the entire time on camera. One dress at a time, she stunned us all with her radiant beauty and incredible spirit. Debbie is bold, strong, and has the most amazing laugh! Her cancer doesn't define her, it doesn't restrict her. She has turned her health into pure motivation to revel in who she is, what she loves, and those she cares about most. Thank God I had my camera to hide those tears!