Dana Olsen's story of heartbreak has become one of triumph.
After her groom got cold feet weeks before their wedding, Olsen decided she wasn't going to let the reception go to waste. After all, her family was out tens of thousands of nonrefundable dollars.
So she partnered with Mary's Place in Seattle, a women and children's shelter, to treat 150 homeless women and children from the city for the party of a lifetime.
The event featured a live band and catered food. Local stylists donated their services to do the ladies' hair and makeup, and people from the community donated jewelry and clothing for the event.
"The event was my family's small attempt to turn what's been an awful situation for us into something positive for other people," Olsen wrote on xoJane.com.
While Olsen, who lives in California, couldn't bring herself to attend, her mother went to Seattle for it.
"She told me it was just as amazing as we wanted it to be," Olsen said. "As soon as the band started playing, the kids rushed out onto the dance floor."
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