On Valentine's Day, we had a fashion show.
The skirts I have poured over, got to show off the only way they can: on women of all shapes, ages and personal styles.
The salon stretched her legs. We moved into the attached atrium: all the mannequins, the antique buffet, my moodboard, portraits of the women who stitch our skirts, my lighting and photography backdrop…
And then came Columbia. Driving 4 hours to be a part of the evening. Sharing her story, which changed the feeling in the room. After a collective exhale, there was such joy and celebration as we shopped and sipped and danced to the music.
As I prepared for this event, I noticed I held things with open hands. And that loose grip allowed something really wonderful to form. Pretty exciting experience for me, a recovering perfectionist who once told her counselor "once my product is perfect, then my business will be successful." I'm so glad I was wrong.
Columbia's Story:
Since I was a kid, I wanted to be a teacher, but I grew up in a home where it wasn't always the most supportive. I tried college but didn't do well. I got a job at Toys "R" Us in 2009 and never left. I abandoned my dream.
In 2018, a friend pushed me to apply for a job at a school as a personal aide to a child with special needs. Little did I know that the next day, the ToysRUs would be closing. I started at the school and loved it, but still didn't feel worthy to be in this space. After wearing a retail uniform for years, I sought a sense of belonging in the teaching profession.
At 9:09 pm on May 31st, 2018, on Instagram, looking at #skirts, I found Emily. My first message was hesitant: "How do I buy a skirt from you? I fall in the 16/18 size so not sure if it's possible."
Emily's response changed everything: "Hiiiiiii! No that's the point!!! I make them to measure so it fits whatever your size!"
This started my journey and friendship with Emily.
Over time, the messages between Emily and me became more frequent. On Instagram, I had a front-row seat as her confidence grew while she navigated difficult situations. I learned not just about dressing but also about perseverance in the face of doubt, which strengthened my confidence. I started getting dressed, investing time in myself, and setting goals.
In August 2022, after three years of service, I decided to return to school to become a Special Education Teacher. On my wall, I posted the Mrs. Emily poster: "The Not Quitting is the Winning."
In August 2024, I was a year and a half from graduation. My car was in the shop, so I planned to drop my husband off at work at 5 am to use his car for the day. I put on a dress, did my hair, gave him a quick kiss at work, and got back on the interstate.
Within three minutes, I saw bright lights.
I woke up hanging upside down. A wrong-way driver going over 100 mph had hit me. I rolled four to five times but was blessed to only come out with extensive scarring on my legs, nerve damage, and a road to recovery.
Getting dressed became a safe place to reclaim what I saw in the mirror. The elastic waistband helped my husband get me dressed at first, then allowed the scarring to heal, and gave me the first thing I felt I could accomplish each day—even when that felt impossibly hard.
When you take that first step in the morning to get dressed, you can show up better for everyone in your life.
I've seen that power in my students. I tell them the Deion Sanders quote: "If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they pay good." They come through the door with pride: "Mrs. Trout, do you like my outfit? I tried to look my best so I could feel my best for my test today." "I went thrifting to save money, and look what I found."
These are the same students society sometimes overlooks—but they're teaching me every day that showing up for yourself matters, no matter what challenges you face.
Last December, I graduated from college—a goal the 2018 version of me had no confidence I'd ever achieve. I wore the cocoa dot split skirt. It all started with small steps.
I'm now in my Master's program, praying and hoping for my own classroom. A classroom where I can tell students like I once was—the ones who don't feel worthy—that they belong.
The way you show up in hard times has a ripple effect. In my friend group, three have returned to college to improve their lives—just as Emily's showing up has created ripples in the world around her.
