Sometimes, you meet the most beautiful people!
Arthur and I have met one of those people. She is the seamstress who has been working on Arthur's wedding gown. She is from Russia and has lived here in the states seven plus years. She is so sweet!
Liliya does alterations from her home. When you come into her front door you are greeted by the smells of (perhaps) food from her native country, and an enormous mirror, probably for the viewing of wedding and prom gowns. When you meet her and see her work, you realize she is very professional and gifted.
She has a room dedicated to her craft and she has many wedding gowns and formals hanging all about, either in the works or finished and ready for pick up. She has a sewing machine (of course), a pulley in the center of the room for hoisting up heavy gowns, and a professional steam cleaner. You see pins, needles, spools of thread, and bits of lace and tulle here and there. She has a rack full of lovely creations waiting to bring smiles to beautiful brides, handsome grooms, and excited prom queens.
But beyond the needles and thread, the lace and buttons, you see a wonderful person, so kind and full of friendliness. This woman who never knew us before we showed up at Formally Yours Bridal Shop, has shown us more kindness than we thought possible from a stranger. Yes, we are a client, we are paying her for a service, but we are getting so much more than you sometimes get from a 'vendor' or 'service person'.
On our previous visit, she offered us the use of a crinoline type slip, which would have cost us about $100.00. Tonight she offered us the use of a beautiful veil, edged with beading just like the beading on Arthur's gown! Arthur, being the easy going person she is, fully accepted this gift (a loan) and said she will 'make it her own' by adding her own comb and tiara, if wanted. That's a decision for later this week.
I paid Liliya $180.00 for the alterations, but she gave us so much more. She made us feel welcome and comfortable in her home based 'office', she offered us the use of some items that is over all probably saving us $200.00, and when we left she hugged and kissed us both!
We both left with a glow. The glow you get when you meet beautiful people.
