When I was almost two years old, I went with my parents to a family gathering. As I visited the same farm many times in the following years, I can imagine that on that day the snarling mongrel dogs rushed down the long lane to greet us and snapped at the tires all the way up to the house. The ferocious chickens would have been loose and stabbing the ground all around my feet. The windmill would have been creaking and groaning. My aunt would have offered the thick, dry, currant-stuffed cookies she was famous for. (No thank you.)

That day I would have played with two slightly older cousins. One would always have been in motion, tearing around at an alarming rate. The other would have been shyly glued to her father’s pant leg. Eventually, we were all gathered up for a photo at the side of the house. I was wearing “the dress.”

This particular dress is still in my possession. It hangs on a child-sized plastic hanger, draped over the framed photo of that warm Fall day. I was photographed in this dress many times and a studio portrait of me in this dress was on my grandparents’ piano for many years.

The dress looks to be about a size 2 and the label reads NANETTE Toddler. It was purchased in New York state by an aunt. It has short puffy sleeves and the obligatory bow tied at the back waist. It was made of white cotton batiste with a sprinkling of pale coral flowers and soft lime-coloured leaves. The bodice has columns of fabric alternating with plain batiste that has been edged with heirloom stitching. The neckline is bordered with ruffled batiste and edged with a fine lacy stitch.

When I pressed the dress before taking the attached photo, I’m sure I could smell the Ivory Snow my mother would have laundered it in.

Leanne Kay, Guelph, Ontario