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
SHOCKING: This Family Got the Weirdest Photos...
We all know a picture is worth a thousand words, but a hilariously bad family photoshoot has earned over 377,000 and 360,000 likes on Facebook. Check them out!
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!
This Photo Contest Captures the Unique Colors of Our World
Take a look at some stunning photos from the Prix De La Photographie Paris 2020 Awards.
This Irish Jig is Just Too Much Fun to Watch!
Enjoy this Irish dance craze that will bring a smile to your face!
These Wedding Photographers Prove They Can Be Artists Too
These are the most stunning wedding photos of 2018!
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.
Do You Know How to Use a Tape Measure? Are You SURE?
The humble tape measure is a more sophisticated tool than you thought...
9 Tips to Ensure You Drink Enough Healthy Water Every Day!
Water is so important for our health it's hard to overstate. But most people find it rather dull. So, here are some tips to make sure you get enough.
Keep Food Daisy Fresh: Here's the Secret
Food wastage is always a shame, and that's why we should all do our best to avoid it as much as possible.
Grow These Plants to Banish Mosquitoes For Good!
No one likes mosquitoes, but if you're smart, you can prevent them from bothering you by having these plants in your home.
A Complete Set of Solutions for Removing Stains!
This stain removal guide will give you 25 excellent tips for removing any kind of stain!
Mouthwash Can Do So Much More Than Freshen Your Breath
Did you know mouthwash is the number 1 household product you should keep at hand? Discover its fantastic multiple uses to see why.
If You Wear These Shoes Often, You Are Damaging Your Feet
Wearing these shoes often can damage your feet!
Everything You Wanted to Know About Coffee...
Is coffee healthy? Is it addictive? Is there any way to reuse coffee grounds? Find the answer these question in this coffee themed collection
These Potatoes Will Definitely Make Your Dish Stand Out
Every great dish needs a great side dish to complement it. These Baked-twice potatoes are such a side dish.
Incredibly Interesting Facts and Figures About the World
These facts and figures about the world are the most interesting you have ever read.
14 Little Known Ways to Save on Gas While Driving!
If you take heed of these 14 easy pieces of advice, you will end up saving hundreds of dollars each year on gas.
How to Fold a Shirt in Just Under 2 Seconds!
A great DIY guide to folding shirt in just 2 seconds each!
6 Surprising Mistakes You Probably Make When Cooking Pasta
If you follow these steps you'll be rewarded with a delicious dish that is worth every creamy bite.
Know Your Kitchen Tools - the Uses for Every Type of Paper
Learn when to use (and when to avoid) each type of kitchen paper, aluminum foil, cling film, and all other wrapping mediums.
Do You Know When to Go to Bed? Just Follow Our Tips
A great way to boost your health is to make sure you are getting enough sleep. Here are 10 bedtime rituals that are sure to get you in the mood to sleep.
Say Goodbye to Rotten Fruits & Veggies with These 12 Tips
The way you store your groceries can affect their shelf life. These 12 tips will help keep your fruits and vegetables fresh for longer.
These Cool Charts Will Make Your Christmas So Much Better
These cool charts will make your Christmas so much better.
Learn to Replace a Bathroom Faucet: Step by Step Tutorial
after watching this step by step video tutorial, you’ll know how to replace a bathroom faucet like a real pro...
Tips For a Happier Life: How Much Free Time Is Optimal?
People love fantasizing about a world with unlimited free time. But is having a lot of free time always the best option for one's well-being and happiness?
WATCH: I Had No Idea Coconut Oil Was THIS Useful!
Coconut oil is a substance you need both in your kitchen and in your medicine cabinet, as you're about to see with these 10 unexpected uses.
15 Awesome Tips Just For Women!
At home, at work or in the middle of the street, there are situations that only women can understand. The following 15 tips are for women only!
I Usually Wake Up 3 A.M. to Pee. What's The Reason?
Do you find yourself waking up at around 3 a.m. every other night to pee? There’s a reason for it.
7 Fantastic Ways to Use Tea Bags in Your Garden
Before you dump your tea bags you should be aware that they can come in handy in the garden. Here are 7 great ways you can use tea bags in your garden.
12 Foods You Must Add to Your Diet in Your 40s and Later
In this article, we’ll focus on 12 foods with proven anti-aging effects that are easy to find in stores and even easier to add into your diet
DO NOT Make These Mistakes When Frying an Egg
For a quick lesson in frying an egg, just watch this vidoe guide.
14 Surprising Foods You Can Indulge Without Gaining Weight
Here are 14 nutritious foods you can eat as much as you want without feeling guilty or afraid that you’ll gain weight. Enjoy!
10 Clever Ways to Eat Less While Staying Healthy
How to eat less and still enjoy yourselves? Here are 10 easy ways to do just that!
Why This Sleep Condition Affects Our Cognitive Abilities
What is the link between sleep apnea and a reduction in cognitive abilities? Let's find out...
This DIY Shampoo Bar is Easy to Make and Great for Hair
Why harm your hair with toxic chemicals when you can make a natural shampoo bar at home?
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...
A Quarter & a Cup of Water Lets You Know If Food Is Safe
Learn this odd trick to know if your food is still good to eat by using a quarter and a cup of water. It's ingenious and incredibly simple.
18 Must-Know Survival Hacks for Those Tricky Moments
These clever survival hacks can help save your life someday.
Bring Stale Bread Back to Life with This Genius Trick
If you ever have a crusty loaf that has gone stale, follow these tips and it will be as good as new in next to no time.
These 7 Cheat Sheets Will Make You a Master in the Kitchen
When it comes to our culinary skills, there's always more to learn, and this is evidenced by the 7 kitchen cheat sheets you're about to see.
How to De-Ice Your Freezer and 11 Other Practical Tips!
How to find something you lost, how to find pipes under your floor and more handy shortcuts everyone should know.
We All Have Aspirin - And Here Are 9 Things to Use It For
Aspirin is about as pedestrian a pill as you can think of - or so you might think! In reality it has loads of surprising uses. Here are 9 of the best.
Surprising Ways to Use ChapStick You Might Not Know About
Here are some of my favorite uses for this unassuming household product.
18 Reasons Why You Should Always Keep Epsom Salt at Home
People often add Epsom salt to their baths. However, it has many other uses and health benefits - here are 18 of them!
Clever Ways to Hide Your Money and Credit Cards
Don't let the burglars get your hard earned cash! Learn how to hide it like a pro.
Avoid These Email Clichés and Communicate More Effectively
Watch out for the outdated phrases below and upgrade your email vocabulary with thoughtful and unique sentiments.
Do This to Revive a Drying Houseplant
Whenever one of your houseplants suddenly looks ill, do this trick.