Since Martha Mae Ophelia Moon Tucker married her husband, Lehman Tucker, in an impromptu ceremony at her pastor’s home in 1952, much has changed. At the time, Martha, living in Birmingham, Alabama, was prohibited from entering bridal shops simply because of the color of her skin. On her wedding day, she wore a borrowed blue dress instead of the traditional white gown.

Now 94 years old, Martha remains as sharp and spirited as ever. She is the proud mother of four children, grandmother of eleven, great-grandmother of eighteen, and great-great-grandmother of one. A dedicated community member, she spent 63 years working at her local polling center, a commitment recently recognized by the Birmingham City Council.

Despite her fulfilling life, Martha had one lingering wish. While watching Coming to America with her granddaughter, Angela Strozier, she confessed, “I always wanted to wear a wedding dress.”

Determined to make this dream a reality, Angela and her cousins arranged for Martha to visit David’s Bridal. When she tried on a flowing white gown, Martha felt like royalty. “I looked in the mirror, and I thought, ‘Who is that?’” she said. “I felt so excited, so beautiful—like it was my wedding day all over again!”

For Angela, the experience was priceless. “After everything she’s done for us, being able to grant our grandmother this wish was so special,” she said.

Martha’s lifelong dream is now checked off her list. “Before I leave this world, I wanted to try on a wedding dress,” Martha shared. “I’ve dreamed of this for 70 years, and it feels just as wonderful as I imagined.”

Her family is now planning a wedding reception to celebrate this joyful milestone. Martha’s story is a touching reminder to ask our elders about their unfulfilled dreams—and to seize the chance to make them come true.