Pillow-Case Dress Life Lessons

My church sends a mission team to Haiti every year, and after falling in love with the Haitian people when I went last summer, I can hardly wait to get back there. No words could ever explain the experience... it's truly something that you just have to go and see for yourself. You will come back changed.

This year, a woman at my church named Iris stepped up to the plate and volunteered to teach some of the women that don't know how to sew how to make pillowcase dresses to take to Haitian girls. They are absolutely adorable-

Last night, I went and spent a few hours with Iris and although I expected for my heart to be touched by the simple fact that she was taking her precious time to share her talents with me or that we were making something that those girls will so appreciate; it was something very unexpected that touched my heart.

If I had to guess, I'd say Iris and her husband, Wayne, are in their late 60's. And, strangely, in the midst of everything last night, the thing that resonated with me the most was their relationship. She's been sewing since she was 5 years old and making beautiful, elaborate quilts for over 20 years. So, in other words, she knows what she's doing and she is passionate about it and good at it. He is into other things, of course, like any man would be, but in the way he talked to her, the way he talked about things she was working on, the way his eyes lit up when he was showing off something she'd made years ago... his pride and respect for her was so evident. Here they are, almost 70 years old, still calling each other "baby," still showing respect for each other in small, unexpected ways, and still excited about the things that they're passionate about.

This was such a beautiful reminder for me that:
#1. A busy, vibrant, goal-oriented woman is much more attractive than one who waits for a man to validate her existence.
Iris has her own thing. She found what she's passionate about and is successful and Wayne respects her independence and drive.
#2. One of the most important qualities to look for in a man is that he takes pride in what you're passionate about while supporting you and embracing your dreams and goals.
Yes, Wayne loving Iris' quilts may seem totally minuscule and irrelevant to some people, but the truth is that one day the little things become the big things. If more girls today would look for a man that loved them for who they are and cared about the things they're passionate about rather than a man that loves them for how they look on the outside, there would be many more couples still together like Wayne and Iris.

So, whether you have found your soulmate or not- learn with me from Wayne and Iris. If you are still trying to find what you're passionate about, just dig a little deeper & if you already know what that is, find a man who appreciates you, supports you, & cares as much about your dreams, goals, & interests as you do!