I wore a prom dress my father created from my late mother’s wedding gown, and for one perfect moment, it felt like she was there with me.

“Your mom would’ve wanted to be there,” he said quietly. “I couldn’t give you that… but I thought maybe I could give you this.”

That’s when I broke down crying.

On prom night, I walked in feeling different—not richer, not changed—but whole, like I carried both my parents with me.

For a moment, I felt beautiful.

Then Mrs. Tilmot approached.