She said yes to the dress

Newlywed Holly Sparks found her something old and something new on what was supposed to be an average day at work as a Revenue Cycle Services associate at IU Health Bloomington.

While checking out Sonya Lee from her oncology appointment, the patient and her nurse were discussing weddings and Holly mentioned her boyfriend had just proposed.

“She got excited and asked if I had any ideas on a dress,” said Holly.

Sonya is a former teacher from Maine and divorced mother of three who believes in sustainable resources and helping others whenever she can.

“There's a verse in the Bible that talks about how when you go through really difficult things, and God is your comfort—then when someone comes along in your life, you're to be a comfort to them,” she shared.

That’s why she works with a sewing ministry group that takes, fixes, cleans and gives away prom and wedding dresses to those who can’t afford their own. When she offered to bring in a couple for Holly to try at the office, the then-fiancé didn’t think much of it.

“Three days later, I walk in with my walker, and I have two wedding dresses draped over my walker,” said Sonya. “Holly’s sitting there doing her job, and she starts laughing. She said, ‘I thought you were joking.’”

The two then went to an empty room to try on the dresses.

“The first one I tried on was the style I was so sure I wanted—It was not it,” said Holly. “She told me she had a dress that she had been praying about who to give it to and thought it would be perfect for me.”

The second dress fit like a glove, and Holly knew she was in her wedding dress. She even picked out her veil from options Sonya brought.

“Everyone in the office came by to see and there was so much love and joy that day,” added Holly.

“I looked at her and said, I hope you understand that God knows the desires of our heart,” said Sonya. “God orchestrated all of this.”

The coincidences continued when Lee went home. She was going through some jewelry she was giving away as part of her ministry, when she found the perfect match to the veil Sparks had chosen. A week later, Sonya surprised her with the matching earrings.

“She is a wonderful human who goes above and beyond to help people in her community,” said Holly, who didn’t think she’d be able to afford a nice wedding dress.

“With three kids and the cost of everything going up, it just wasn't a priority,” she shared. “She gave me a lot more than just a dress. She gave me joy, and hope and the knowledge that are still wonderful, kind people in the world.”

“When you see the joy on somebody's face—it's pretty great,” said Sonya. “It's so fun because you can see God's hand at work.”