This weekend I tried on wedding dresses.

And I found one that fit just right.

It is just like the one I wore when I took center stage next to Mr. Right in all my girlish dreams. It’s complete with all the lace and ribbon that no wedding dress should be without, a dainty princess crown with lace for a veil, and a large hoop skirt, the kind that swishes when I walk

Don’t worry, Dad. It’s not for my wedding. According to my personal life plan, I’m one fiancee and a college degree away from even thinking about marriage.

The dress I’m referring to is my grandmother’s 1957 wedding dress. I received one of the greatest honors of my life when my grandmother asked me to wear it in a bridal show later this summer.

The white is a little discolored now, and the matching shoes are missing.

But the wedding dress is absolutely stunning to look at even now, 48 years after it was first worn.

Although the dress is gorgeous, it’s the feelings the dress evokes, not just of the wearer, but of the onlookers, that makes it so special.

At $59, the dress was not a cheap investment in 1957. I could tell by the way Grandma handles the delicate dress it is one of her most prized possessions. Grandma made many of her own dresses, and the fact that this one was store-bought made it special.

Even the writing on the dress’ box, “Darlene’s W. Dress,” means a lot to her. It’s the writing of her mother who passed away in the 1960s.

As I watched my grandma watch me in her dress, I could tell the sight brought to mind happy memories for her.

I can’t explain how wearing Grandma’s dress made me feel. For a while, I felt older and more grown-up, considering I’m not a whole lot younger than Grandma was when she got married.

And with my mom snapping pictures in the background and calling my family inside to see me modeling the dress, it caused quite a commotion.But also, there was a part of me that felt like a little girl playing dress up again. For a few brief moments, life was easy, and my biggest worry was what shoes I would wear to complete my ensemble.

I know my family saw that little girl, too.

And to be able to capture those feelings once again, I would say Grandma’s 48-year-old investment was a good one.