This is a story we should all read, because it shows you that even in the face of the worst-case scenario, one can still smile, fight the tears and prevail. It is represented in this amazing photo series by photographer Elizabeth Hoard |
This is the story of Shelby Swink, who has been in a relationship since 2011 with a man she thought she was going to marry and live with ever-after. The got engaged and were set to get married last month.
|
|
However, less than a week before the big day, her fiancé announced to her that he no longer loves her, and called off the wedding.
|
|
“Bam. My dreams of marrying and having kids with what I thought was the man I would spend the rest of my life with vanished,” said a devastated Shelby. “November was supposed to be a fun and happy day surrounded by friends and family who loved me. I decided that I would not let my ex-fiancé’s mistake of letting me go take that away from me.”
|
|
She and the wedding photographer instead decided to have a 'trash the dress' photoshoot on the very day of the wedding that never happened. Replacing sadness with fun.
|
|
“The moment the paint hit my dress… I was free. All the disappointment, all the hurt… I just felt it leave me”, said Shelby. |
|
|
“My bridesmaids supported the idea 100% and even joined me in their own dresses.”
|
|
Her parents didn't give up the oppurtunity to be part of the fun.
|
|
Since her mother was the one who paid for her dress, Shelby was surprised at how supportive her parents were, both wanting to be there for her.
|
|
|
|
|
After the colorful photoshoot, Shelby's dress was displayed for all to see at the Barefoot Bride in Memphis. While it is on display, part of all money spent on dresses will go to a local nonprofit.
|
|
“Always remember to remain true to yourself and believe in your own strength and you can overcome anything life throws at you”, said Shelby when asked what she learned from this experience.
|
|
And if you had something to say to your ex-fiancé? “Thank you for sparing me greater pain and loss down the road. Thank you for pushing me to realize my own strength…” |
|
“…Thank you for teaching me that no one can take away my happiness. Thank you for letting me go so I can one day experience true reciprocated love. THANK YOU!” |
|
|
There's even a non-wedding video! |
H/T: Offbeatbride
The Best Wedding Locations of 2018 Will Blow Your Mind
Take a look at these stunning wedding photos that made it to the Top 30 Best of the Best Destination Photo Contest.
I Can't Stop Laughing at These Hilarious Wedding Photos
From cows making babies to groomsmen falling into the ocean, here are some of the most sidesplitting wedding photobombs you'll ever see.
The Reason Why No One Ever Smiles In Old Photographs
Discover the real cultural and technological reasons behind the serious faces in old portrait photographs.
Amsterdam Festival of Lights: A Fairy-Tale Beauty
A beautiful set of photographs and a video depicting the beautiful Amsterdam Light Festival in the year 2019.
This Irish Jig is Just Too Much Fun to Watch!
Enjoy this Irish dance craze that will bring a smile to your face!
This is the Most Beautiful Wedding and It's All Homemade!
Say goodbye to the heavy burden of wedding planning with these great DIY Tips and hacks!
If You Have Glasses, Here Are 12 Tips You Should Know...
Broken hinges, misplacement. These occurrences mean we sometimes need assistance in the vision department .These are 12 hacks to get by without spectacles.
Why Your Consumer Brand Loyalty Can Backfire
It happens to all the consumer goods you can imagine...
6 Simple and Practical Tips To Organize Your Kitchen
A well organized kitchen is the first step to a gratifying cooking experience
How Observant Are You? Can You Spot What's Wrong Here?
So how's your observational skills and eye for detail? Can you identify what's wrong with this picture? See if you can spot all 21 mistakes.
These 10 Phrases Will Make People Like You a Lot More!
Your choice of words can leave a long after the particulars have been forgotten. Here are 10 phrases you should add to your daily speech.
Maximize Bedroom Space With These Furniture Designs
Here is a look at some incredible furniture designs that will help maximize bedroom space.
Extend the Shelf Life of Your Groceries with These Hacks!
Here are 12 super useful grocery life hacks that will make your groceries last longer and ensure no food is wasted!
5 Common Insect Bites You Should Fear and Beware!
Sometimes bug bites can be relatively harmless, and sometimes they can be much more worrying. But how do you know when? Here are 5 bug bites to watch for.
15 Reasons to Never Throw Away Used Corks Again!
There's no limit with what you can do with a simple collection of corks. Make your used corks useful again with these brilliant DIY ideas.
7 Unique Bathroom Cleaning Tips You Really Need to Know!
We bet you didn't know that you can use black tea, vinegar & even your vacuum cleaner to make your bathroom cleaner than ever before!
Testing 10 Amazon Phone Gadgets: Are They Any Good?
Are these phone gadgets as good as advertised? Let's check it out.
Are You Making These 7 Mistakes with Your Cutting Board?
Are you making these 7 mistakes with your cutting board?
All My Life I've Been Opening Bananas Wrong. Shocked.
I Never Knew How to Really Open a Banana...
Video Turorial: How to Unclog the Toilet Without a Plunger...
Unclogging the toilet is never a happy task. I was happy to discover this easy method of unclogging the toilet without having to use one.
Do You Power Nap? If Not, Here's Why You Should!
Nothing beats a good night's sleep, but there are many benefits that arise from taking a short power nap. Here are 6 of them.
10 Nifty Uses for Cooking Spray You Never Thought Of
I bet you never thought of using cooking spray in these alternative ways...
Paper Towels Can Do Much More Than Just Mop Up Spills
We all think that paper towels are just for mopping up spills, but it turns out they have many uses you wouldn't expect. Take a look at them here!
Genius Hotel and Packing Tricks You’ll Surely Appreciate
These invaluable tricks will help you get around 18 common traveling problems, particularly those that deal with hotels and luggage packing...
How to Choose, Cook and Prepare a Perfect Steak!
Most of us want to know how to cook the perfect steak, and now, thanks to these fantastic guides, we can!
Cleaning Guide: The Correct Way to do Daily Chores
We could all do with a couple of life-savers every now and then. Check these out!
Body Language Guide: 17 Mistakes We All Make
We give ourselves away all the time. Learn the common body language mistakes we all do so you can protect your inner thoughts.
Re-purpose Your Old Clay Pots Into Something Special!
Clay pots are rather mundane things if there isn't something quite spectacular growing out of them, but you can use them to make something amazing...
Make Home-Made, Special Treats for Your Dog or Cat
Want to make sure your pet gets the healthiest treats without ant preservatives? Use these recipes to make your own treats. Your pet will thank you for it!
Incredibly Interesting Facts and Figures About the World
These facts and figures about the world are the most interesting you have ever read.
11 Things Bleach Can Do For You. #5 is Especially Helpful!
If you think that bleach is only good for bleaching - think again! This stuff is more helpful than you think.
Experience the Beauty Benefits of Palo Santo Oil: DIY Tips
Find out the amazing beauty benefits of Palo Santo essential oil for your skin and hair.
12 Great Advantages of Being Bald
You thought hair loss and going bald was a BAD thing? Well, think again, as we go over everything that's great about being bald!
Here Is the Secret For Making the Perfect Hamburger
This video is for those of you who are hamburger enthusiasts and want to learn everything there is to know about making a savory burger.
Don’t Throw Away Banana Peels! They Have Some Great Uses
Before you throw throw away the next banana peel into the trash can, read about the great ways it can be used.
Remove Blackheads From Your Skin Using These Sure Methods
Blackheads make our skin look terrible when it can easily look nice. Here are 6 efficient ways to rid yourself of those black dots right at home!
Wow! Even We Were Amazed At These 11 Ingenious Tips
Everyone needs some tips in life, and these 11 are worth remembering because they'll help you solve a variety of problems, make life easier and save money!
These 20 Hacks Will Make Gardening So Much Easier!
This rapid-fire video gives you tips on not only how to manage and maintain your garden, but even make use of normally useless items!
This Is Why You Should Never Throw Out Silica Gel Packets
Have you ever thrown away these bags of silica gel? Of course you have. But here are some reasons why you SHOULD keep hold of them...
7 Items You Might Be Disinfecting the Wrong Way
With the Covid-19 outbreak, disinfecting has become a daily necessity. But some items can be damaged by the chemicals & need a gentler approach
12 Things Your Dog Can Do...
Here are 12 surprising things that your furry companion knows about you better than anyone else, maybe even more than you do.
How to Become Wiser in 6 Simple Steps
Intelligence is something, some say, we are born with. On the other hand, wisdom, which is far more useful, is definitely something one can accumulate over a lifetime. Many search for ways to become wise, but few feel they have really achieved it. Ch
10 Great Skin & Hair Treatments You Can Make with a Cucumber
Cucumbers have a whole range of benefits for your skin and hair. Here are some cheap and simple products that really work, and you can make them all at home.
Our Complete Guide to Peeling Fruits and Vegetables!
Each fruit and vegetable has a different way of being effectively peeled. Our guide will teach you the very best methods!
Did You Know? Your Pillow Might Be Ruining Your Sleep
Your pillow could affecting your sleep. This article will give advice on when to change your pillow, the best sized pillow and tips for buying a new pillow.
Waking Up at Odd Hours? Here's What Your Body is Saying
This guide will help you understand how your body systems work and identify any mental challenges you may face.
These Common Habits Make Our Anxiety Worse
Experts believe that certain attitudes and habits are amplifying your stress levels.