Long story but I think it's worth sharing. So we bought Ali a dress for her sweet 16 party which she absolutely loved. The only problem was the skirt was long, to the floor, and she wanted it short. We brought the skirt to a local seamstress and paid to have the skirt cut to a specific length. I picked up the skirt and when Ali tried it on we were in shock - it was two inches shorter than the measurements we left. This skirt was short.....I mean SHORT! Ali was so upset, and I ... was stuck. Her party is Friday and there was just no time to look for another dress, let alone the money! So I headed to Joann's Fabrics to buy material and thought I'd try to find someone to make a skirt. At exactly the right moment, an elderly woman in line behind me, heard me telling the story and offered to make Ali a skirt. She is a retired seamstress and an immigrant to America. Taking a huge leap of faith, I trusted this stranger to help me. Well, I picked up the skirt tonight and it is perfect, she made the most remarkable duplicate of the original one. This woman is now my friend and I just know we will remain in each other's lives. She has no family in the states, but she is now part of mine. The lesson: talk to strangers, welcome people into your life, and take that leap of faith......you never know what you'll gain! dress for sweet 16 party # blessed