They stopped by the library on the way home, finding a beautiful, vintage floral gown donated by a neighbor. It fit Lily perfectly.

Their first stop was , a local boutique downtown. The air smelled of lavender, and the racks were filled with hand-stitched silks and intricate lace. Lily twirled in a butter-yellow sundress, but Maya checked the price tag and winced. It was a masterpiece, but perhaps a bit much for a six-year-old who still loved mud pies.

As they headed to the checkout, Maya spotted a sign for a at the local library. "You know," she told Lily, "some of the best stories come from dresses that have already been loved."