Shopping can be an expensive endeavor. We tell ourselves we are buying one item and leaving, and end up with a full cart. If you’re someone like this, then you can benefit from some tips to save money while shopping, like second-hand shopping, also known as thrifting. Shannon Hiramoto is someone who loves this kind of shopping and now we know why!
Not Just A Hobby
Thrift stores are a fantastic way to shop. We can spend half a day searching through used clothing racks, finding items we wouldn’t see anywhere else. The best part is that you don’t even make a dent in your wallet for such incredible finds. There is also the additional factor that these items may have interesting origins. This is exactly what Shannon Hiramoto found, after buying one dress that changed her life.
Not Just A Hobby
Thrift Store Finds
Shannon Hiramoto loves spending her days scrimmaging through thrift stores trying to see what new and exciting vintage items she will come across. Since she is a Kauai local, its only fitting that she loves to wear vintage muumuus. She says this dress is flattering and comfortable, and specifically goes to thrift stores to find vintage ones.
Thrift Store Finds
An Unexpected Shopping Day
One day she was wandering around the Lihue area when she discovered a Salvation army. She couldn’t stop herself from going right to the clothing racks. She casually searched through the items but had no idea what she was going to find.
An Unexpected Shopping Day
Somewhat Familiar
She noticed a dress hanging on the rack that seemed familiar to her. Yet, she still couldn’t pinpoint where she had seen it before. She took it off the rack, held it up, and admired the dress.
Somewhat Familiar
It Was Her Taste
She was fascinated by the style of the dress. She loved the floral pattern combined with the pink fabric of the dress. It had a v neck, which accentuated her figure and made her feel slimmer than ever. Although she was unaware at that moment, there were even more fascinating details about the dress to come. This was not your average muumuu.
It Was Her Taste
Not What It Seemed
When she spoke to a local TV station she told them how excited she was when she noticed this muumuu was shorter than normal. It was only later that she noticed something extra special about this muumuu.
Not What It Seemed
Something On The Tag
The tag on the dress said it was from the Liberty House. The surprising part was that the dress looked like it was written using a permanent marker. Shannon was intrigued but still couldn’t figure out where she recognized this dress from.
Something On The Tag
She Had To Know More
She didn’t think twice after she saw this tag. She snatched the dress and bolted for the checkout counter. She was determined to find out more about this vintage dress and did not want anyone to take it from her.
She Had To Know More
A Message For Her
She had a feeling that the writing on the tag represented something. Thousands of the thoughts were running through her head, was this a sign? How was it possible that she could find a message written for her in a random thrift store? The thoughts were endless.
A Message For Her
What Could It Be?
She decided to give the tag another look and her heart skipped a beat. She took a deep breath, shut her eyes, and concentrated. She was desperate to know exactly where she saw this before.
What Could It Be?
In Her Mind
Suddenly, it all came back to her. She suddenly saw a woman with a strong personality celebrity life, in a pink dress. When she closed her eyes she saw the woman smiling at Shannon as if she knew her.
In Her Mind
A Time-Traveling Dress
This woman was 108 years old and she had a message to deliver to Shannon. When Shannon purchased this dress she was unaware that it was going to be the start of a new adventure for her.
A Time-Traveling Dress
A Mystery To Solve
At this point, Shannon knew the truth. But she still needed proof before she would embarrass herself. She didn’t want to jump to any conclusions before gathering all the information she needed, so she waited and searched for proof.
A Mystery To Solve
Family Secrets
Shannon was about to solve a huge family mystery and she wanted to solve it immediately. She knew there was something big she was getting too if one single word label could send chills all over her body.
Family Secrets
Her Suspicions
Shannon rushed home following her suspicions. She was eager to speak to her mother about her new thrift store find. Hopefully, they could get to the bottom of this together. There was no stopping Shannon now.
Her Suspicions
Nobody Could Believe It
Shannon returned home and showed her mother the dress. Her face turned white as a sheet upon seeing what Shannon found. Her mother was speechless switching her gaze from Shannon to the dress and vice versa. But what was written on the tag that was so shocking?
Nobody Could Believe It
What It Said
Her mother’s face revealed every emotion possible there was. She seemed ecstatic yet distraught all at once and she was shaking uncontrollably. Shannon didn’t exactly what to do, she couldn’t have prepared for her mother to react this way.
What It Said
Who Is Kamei?
What was written on the tag was not a random word at all. Instead, the name Kamei was printed in a permanent marker. It was suspected that the previous owner was the one who did this.
Who Is Kamei?
The Tag
Shannon was excited when her mother’s face lit up when she saw the tag. It was clear she recognized the name. She was aware that it was uncommon that two people would have the same name, and she knew one person in particular who fit the criteria.
The Tag
In Shock
Shannon told her mom the story of her recent dress discovery. After her mom took a deep breath and recovered from the shock, she carefully examined the dress with her daughter. She then confirmed Shannon’s suspicions.
In Shock
Photo Albums
After this, her mother immediately grabbed the family photo albums. The two women went through each photo carefully, not to miss anything. Shannon patiently waited, despite her overwhelming apprehension. She tried to remain calm not to stress her mother.
Photo Albums
Going Through Photos
This may seem like an odd place to begin but they were certain they would find something in the old photographs. Unfortunately, they lost hope once they reached the final albums without approaching an answer.
Going Through Photos
Couldn’t Figure It Out
Shannon was disappointed when she learned she was not even remotely close to finding the answer to this mystery dress. She was beginning to feel hopeless, but her mother wasn’t giving up just yet. She continued the search.
Couldn’t Figure It Out
About To Give Up
Shannon started to give up on her theories. She spent an entire day searching through photo albums and was still not successful. She put in so much effort to arrive at no answer. Shannon was beginning to lose hope.
About To Give Up
A Far-Fetched Idea
She knew that her ideas were very abstract but she was hoping to find something to confirm her suspicions. Suddenly, her mother revealed something that made her heart fall into her stomach. Shannon grew hopeful again.
A Far-Fetched Idea
At Long Last
Several days after this dress discovery, Shannon received a message from her mom. It read, ” And it’s this, and it’s her. It’s a full-body shot and I was just so excited! My mom said it was the last photo in the last album she looked at.”
At Long Last
Unbelievable News
Shannon finally had proof to confirm her far fetched beliefs. She was right when she thought that the muumuu could have belonged to her great grandmother. She almost fainted when she came to this realization. How was it possible, what a coincidence this was!
Unbelievable News
Her Great Grandmother
Shannon suspected it was her great grandmother’s dress because it had her last name written on it. She said in an interview, Her great grandmother’s full name was Florence Shizuko Kamei. Kamei was the word printed on the tag.
Her Great Grandmother
Was It A Coincidence?
It was such a surprising but unexpected coincidence that Shannon found this dress, given that her great grandmother was born in Kekaha back in 1904! This was remarkable, without question. It’s possible that this was not even a coincidence, but rather fate.
Was It A Coincidence?
Advice To Live By
Her grandmother was sort of a legend in Hawaii. When she passed away at 108 she was the oldest person in Hawaii! This was so amazing that they even announced her passing all over the radio and news.
Advice To Live By
What’s The Secret?
Shannon recalls when her great grandmother used to speak about her special secrets to living a long and prosperous life. Well, it turns out that her secrets were not so difficult, to begin with.
What’s The Secret?
Her Secret
She remembers that her grandmother always told her that the secrets to a long and accomplished life were green tea and hobbies. The other family members also remembered interesting details about this woman. She was known for her flowy dresses and big smiles.
Her Secret
She Was Lovely
To all who remember her, she was seen as a genuinely happy woman. Also, she was devoted to the church choir and played the ukulele. She had a passion for delicious food, dancing, and living her life to the fullest.
She Was Lovely
An Inspiration To Her
Shannon’s grandmother was a huge role model for her. So much so that she chose the name Kamei as her daughter’s middle name, to honor her late relative. The name has an interesting meaning.
An Inspiration To Her
Quiet Child
In Japanese, Kamei means “Quiet child. ” in reality, her daughter and great grandmother had far from quiet personalities. Her grandmother was remembered as polite and softspoken, and her daughter was similar to your average young and playful child.
Quiet Child
An Uncertain Memory
Several days went by and Shannon search her memory for the specific dress. She remembers seeing Kamaei wear it before, however she couldn’t be sure if it was in memory or real life. To this day she is not 100 percent sure which it is.
An Uncertain Memory
The Background In The Photo
Shannon recalled that her great-grandmother always wore muumuus with vibrant colors such as pink, purple, or red. She even knows the exact location that the photo of her grandmother was taken. Her final resting place will be remembered in the last photo of the photo album.
The Background In The Photo
More Than Words
Discovering this dress was more than Shannon could have asked for. It was so special to her and such a remarkable find. She was in awe of the fact that something like this happened to her. She thought it was just going to be an ordinary day.
More Than Words
In Hanapepe
Her great grandmother was captured in this muumuu at the historic community of Hanepepein Kuai. She posed with a bright smile right in front of her church, The United Church of Christ. Shannon explained that the special part of this church is that her grandmother’s ashes lay there. Every time she goes it’s like visiting her great grandmother.
In Hanapepe
Her Church
After all of this, Shannon felt an urge to honor her great grandmother, so she decided to visit the church. Respectively, it was a huge part of Kamei’s history. She even wore her special muumuu.
Her Church
Can’t Wrap Her Mind Around This
Remarkably, this ancient dress managed to get to the hands of this thrift store shopping, young girl, who ALSO happens to be the great-granddaughter of the owner. Shannon was truly blown away, and couldn’t fathom this experience. Regardless, she was so happy that it did. She believes it was all fate at the end of the day.
Can’t Wrap Her Mind Around This(2)
No Clue
Kamei passed away at 108 years old, five years before Shannon discovered her dress. During an interview, she said that she has no idea where the dress could have been in the last five years but she did feel like it was magic finding the dress now.
No Clue
A Message From Beyond
Shannon is persistent in her beliefs that it was not a coincidence finding this muumuu, but more so the idea of being in the right place at the right time. She even thinks that her grandmother was sending her a message from up above. She adds “I think it’s just her way of telling me I’m on the right track.”
A Message From Beyond
Paying Homage To Her
Shannon also admits that this experience has finally come full circle and she is certain that her great grandmother is smiling down at her. She is determined to keep this dress as a family heirloom.
Paying Homage To Her
Amazing Heirloom
Shannon is so happy with how she is honoring her loving memory of Kamei. She is certain that this way her memory would not disappear, regardless of how far in the future. Thrift stores hold several prized possesions and vintage finds, but nothing compares to the success Shannon found.
Amazing Heirloom