Finding the perfect dress for high school prom can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. But for one plus-size Massachusetts teenager, the stress of dress shopping was too much — provoking a bout of tears in the dressing room of the Designer Diva Consignment Boutique in Abington.
Her cries did not go unnoticed. “I heard her crying and it just killed me,” said store owner Kristen Harris, to WBZ NewsRadio 1030. “There should have been something there for her, there should be something everywhere for everybody.”
Harris was determined to find the girl, so she took to her store’s Facebook page and wrote, “To the beautiful girl that was in my store today looking for a size 22 dress…I didn’t get your name before you left but I will not forget your face. I’m sorry you were sad… but don’t be. I will find you your dream dress!!! Someone already brought one in & I’ll do everything in my power to get more. Please come back in & when you do the dress is on me. I hope you see this or someone who knows her does.”
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The post soon spread to the whole community. Dresses of all colors and styles flooded Harris’s store. “If you find her please inbox me! I have several bridesmaid gowns she could try and have if she likes any. I have dark purple, red and black, light green and yellow. I have pics if you would like to see them,” one local resident posted.
Other local businesses joined the movement to help the girl feel special: A hair stylist offered a free up-do, a florist wanted to give away a matching corsage and boutonniere, and a stylist wanted to send her jewelry.
Happily, Harris was able to find the teen. She wrote on Facebook, “FOUND HER!!!! and she’s coming in. I’m planning to have her here next Monday…… so to all of you AMAZING ladies that have offered to bring in dresses in her sizes please bring them in. Thank you all again from the bottom of my heart for spreading the word, for all your kind words and generous offerings…The both of us are both so grateful to you all. XOXO”