We're all for a good love story
can we share our heart, too?
Free ever after was birthed out of a fierce belief that every woman deserves to be accepted as valuable. no matter what. here's why.
From a young age, Cynthia experienced what no child should ever experience,an abuse that would ripple into years of sexual exploitation. As a young lady, she carried the shame of the abuse that led her to feel unworthy and like she was damaged goods.
She finally met her dream man, the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Yet, during what was supposed to be the happiest time of her wedding planning process, she was limited to search for her wedding dress in any color except white.
In her culture, white represented purity and worthiness, words that she felt would never describe her, so she felt only heaviness as she longingly browsed through perfectly sterling white dresses.
I DON'T DESERVE TO WEAR WHITE
THOUGHT CYNTHIA, OVERWHELMED BY THE MEMORIES OF HER HEARTBREAKING PAST.
SHE TOLD HER SOON-TO-BE HUSBAND ALEX, "YOU KNOW MY PAST, YOU KNOW WHAT I’VE DONE,
IN THAT MOMENT ALEX, LOOKED AT HER STRAIGHT IN THE EYES AND SAID “YOU’RE NOT THAT GIRL ANYMORE! I DON’T CARE WHAT ANYONE THINKS, TO ME, YOU DESERVE TO WEAR WHITE. THAT WAS THE MOMENT THAT CYNTHIA FELT REDEEMED, SHE WAS MADE NEW, SHE FELT LOVED AND WORTHY NOT JUST BY HER SOON-TO-BE HUSBAND BUT BY JESUS.
I don't deserve to wear white.
Cynthia went out and purchased
the whitest dress she could find
SIX YEARS LATER AS A STAY AT HOME MOM, CYNTHIA once again FELT THE URGENCY TO HELP OTHER WOMEN WHO HAD EXPERIENCED SEXUAL EXPLOITATION BUT LIVING ONLY ON HER HUSBAND’S INCOME, THEY DIDN’T HAVE MUCH MONEY TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT PRE-EXISTING ORGANIZATIons.
SUDDENLY, A DREAM arose IN HER HEART AS SHE BEGAN TO ENVISION THE BEAUTY OF A USED WEDDING DRESS. SHE realized SHE could TAKE AN OLD WEDDING DRESS AND MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL AGAIN, SO SHE QUICKLY TRAVELLED TO THE CLOSEST THRIFT STORE IN SEARCH OF A USED DRESS, hoping to stumble her way through a diy upcycle. Her expectations were low, but her head was held high.
AS SHE WAS THUMBING HER WAY THROUGH A RACK OF DRESSES IN A dim-lit, dusty THRIFT STORE, TO HER GREAT SURPRISE, SHE STUMBLED UPON
an unbelieveable designer dress
SUDDENLY, SHE SAW HERSELF (AND THE MANY OTHER WOMEN WHO HAD BEEN EXPLOITED) in reality:
She imagined the Father looking at His daughters in the dark dirty places like she was looking at that dress, as beautiful, valuable and redeemable.
while she originally thought she would be working with tacky old gowns, she immediately saw a new model for blessing survivors of sex trafficking.
WITH A BIT OF HELP, THESE DRESSES COULD BECOME HIGH END DRESSES ONCE AGAIN. AND WOMEN WHO HAD BEEN EXPLOITED, WITH COUNSELING AND MENTORSHIP, COULD BECOME HEALED AND HEALTHY, WALKING IN THE CONFIDENCE OF THEIR TRUE WORTH.
They were stunning, made by a designer who created them
both intentionally and beautifully.
right then and there, FREE EVER AFTER BEGAN AS A SPARKLE OF A DEEPLY-HELD VALUE AND belief - and cynthia saw a perfect symbiotic relationship of brides of all backgrounds coming alongside vulnerable and at-risk women who had survived sex trafficking.
as one woman moved forward in life, they could celebrate their love by extending a hand up to another woman trying to move forward in life too.
HAND IN HAND THESE WOMEN WOULD EACH MOVE FORWARD, BOTH JOYFULLY AND UNIQUELY CONNECTED THROUGH THE PURCHASE OF
one special wedding dress
each bride that purchases a high quality, remastered wedding dress from us
also partners with local sex trafficking rehabilitation centers, like southern arizona against slavery
learn more
Meet our team
Norma
As a survivor of sexual exploitation, Norma is passionate about combatting trafficking. Years ago she was a Free Ever After Bride and is now the proud Owner of the Boutique. She loves helping brides find their perfect dress while supporting survivors.
Since 2013, Katie has been a part of the team and growth of FEABB. First as a volunteer, then as our book-keeper and now as our boutique manager. Katie leads with a kind and driven heart to help each of our brides find the perfect dress.
