I come from a pretty conservative Indian household who were afraid to let me to go to prom and were strict about how I dressed. After lots of discussion they said okay and I went to try on a dress with my mom.

I found a baby pink strapless gown I felt absolutely beautiful in. When I walked out, mom said it was too immodest and I looked terrible and went to find a new one. I just stood there looking in the mirror in shame.

Three old white ladies at the fitting room next to me saw me and told me I looked like a princess and that dress was made for me, and their kindness in that moment made me tear up.

When mom came back, they told her subtly they thought it was perfectly appropriate and a lovely dress. Mom ended up relenting and got it for me! but added straps to it (which I promptly ripped off at prom).

Had my first slow dance with a boy who asked me out after! It was raining and my feet hurt, so he carried me all the way to the car, like a real princess. He bought us ice cream and we watched the stars before dropping me home!

I felt like all the movies were real :) I won’t forget you my white fairy godmothers!

Not that the race is important but I struggled being one of the only Indian girls in that community and lots of people weren’t very nice about my culture to me. So along with helping me have a magical prom night, those ladies really helped me heal some of the misgivings I had about people, and reminded me kindness doesn’t have a color. Years later I am still grateful.