Six years after my divorce, my ex-husband’s new wife, Cassandra, tried to win over our daughter, Lily, with a $1,000 prom dress. She showed up the night before prom, flaunting it like a trophy and mocking the dress I had handmade for Lily. What she didn’t know? Lily had watched me stay up late after two jobs, sewing that dress with love and care. She’d seen what real effort looks like.
Prom night came. Cassandra waited outside the school, expecting Lily in her expensive gift. Instead, my daughter stepped out wearing the dress I made. When Cassandra asked why, Lily simply said, “Because I don’t choose things based on price. I choose based on love.”
That night, Lily posted a photo with the caption:
“Couldn’t afford the $1,000 dress, so my mom made one. I’ve never felt more beautiful or more loved. Love has no price.” Cassandra tried to charge me for the dress. Lily told her to take it back—it meant nothing. Turns out, you can’t buy love. But you can sew it, one stitch at a time.