Operation: Get That Dress... a Mothers Day Gift story

When a woman wants to drop a hint they are often not subtle at all. So began my quest for Mothers Day which I dubbed Operation: Get That Dress.


It began weeks ago really. A local movie theater me and my beloved go to quite often is situated inside a small
shopping center. Within this small shipping center is a very small store that sells womens dresses, jewelry, and purses. Now what they lack in size they make up for in quality of product. Their stuff is nice. For weeks now my wife has stared at this one dress worn by the center mannequin as we passed by bu it was only last week that she came out and said "Wow that dress is beautiful. I really like it."

Ladies and gentlemen that is what is called...the hook.

So as Mothers Day approaches and we give thanks to those mothers we love I felt that getting this dress would be the best way to show her how much I care. So one week ago from this past Thursday  I drove from work straight to the store (without telling her until I was getting there). When I arrived a bit past 6 the store was closed and oddly enough there were no signs in the store or on the door as to what their normal operating hours were. Needless to say I was quite disappointed. I called my wife and spilled the beans - there was her dress, so close and yet so far, staring at me through the glass and I could not attain it. But you see, once this little rat embraces a mission his determination is the stuff of legends. Give up? Yeah, like that will ever happen.

Today I renewed my quest. At 10 AM I drove to the store, thinking that it would be easier to catch them on Saturday. I got there... and they were closed. I waited a bit and then I walked over to the hair dresser across from the dress store and asked when she would be opening. Her answer was "Well they keep odd hours. They come in some Saturdays and other times they don't When they are here however thy are open around 11-11:30 AM." My heart tumbled to despair. Then she gave me her card and said "call me and I will let you know if Chantel, the store owner is there so I can tell her you are looking for that dress." So after waiting about 45 minutes I left and went to the local casino about 2-5 minutes away. I played some blackjack, won about $12 after being up and down and then left, making my way back to the store. When I got to the store...it was still closed.

Now I was getting a bit frustrated. But give up.... of course not.

After waiting a bit longer I asked the security guard and he said "Well they don't always show up at consistent times so I'm not sure what to tell you." Then a small miracle happened and hope was renewed. As I sat on the bench waiting for the store owner to arrive the hair stylist lady came out and said "You know I was moved by your persistence in trying to get your wife that dress. So much so that I called Chantel and told her about it. She says she should be here shortly."

My heart pounded with jubilation.

Fast forward about 45 minutes more and by I was starting to be doubtful again. So I walked into the hair
dresser place and asked if Chantel had given an approximate time she would arrive. She said "No but she did tell me she was definitely coming." As I was walking out of the store and preparing to wait SOME MORE I see a man walking towards the store with a woman. The woman had some keys in her hand and as she got closer to the store she reached out with the keys to open the door to the DRESS STORE!!!! The hair dresser came out and said "Oh Chantel this is the guy that has been waiting for you to arrive." I got up and walked into the store praying that the dress was still available in my wifes size, especially since the mannequin that had been wearing it was now wearing another dress. Chantel smiles at me, apologized for making me wait, and showed me that she did indeed have the dress in the size I wanted. So I whipped out my credit card and paid for the dress (it cost less than I thought so I have enough left over to take my beloved to a nice dinner as well) and left the store with my spirit soaring. I called my wife and said "Honey, mission accomplished." She was quite happy!!!

So my mission to get the hearts of my beloved's desire was complete. It cost me less than I expected, leaving me room to sweeten the gift and I even made an extra $10 while waiting for the store to open thanks to the blackjack tables. All in all it took me about 2.5 hours of waiting and three trips to the store but ultimately my persistence paid off. Now I gleefully await the day that my wife wears the dress as it is both beautiful yet provocative...much life she is...so that I can fully take in the fruits of my labor.

Happy upcoming Mothers Day to all the ladies out there who have struggled and put up with some of the insanity that we guys put them through. And last but not least, go the extra mile for the one you love - if they love you in return they will appreciate it.