Is it a flex that I ended up with four bridal showers? Or just a testament to the power of geographical distance?
We are less than a month out from the wedding and I am….actually not as stressed as I could be. So far, everything has gone just fine. I have all my vendors chosen, no one’s dropped out, and nothing has gone horribly wrong. Yet. *looks around suspiciously*
But this isn’t about the wedding itself. This blog post is to tell you about four, count ‘em, four bridal showers that were given to me. I am so grateful for all of this, I couldn’t ask for better people to surround me.
The process of bridal shower-ing me to within an inch of my life began last November. I was in Pennsylvania with Alex’s family for Thanksgiving. I have really enjoyed getting to know his family over the last couple years of dating. When Alex’s mom offered to throw me a bridal shower, I was so pleased! I wasn’t expecting it, aa traditionally it’s the bride’s family that throws a shower. But if someone offers to throw me a fun party, I’m sure as heck not turning it down!
I saw some of the decorations and food beforehand, and even though these people haven’t known me for very long, they knew exactly what I would love. I really enjoyed getting to know this effervescent gaggle of ladies by chatting with them and playing games. They have been so kind to this dorky girl from Nebraska-then-Texas. The word that I took from this bridal shower was welcome. I felt so welcomed into the family, and I look forward to holidays and gatherings with my future in-laws
In February, I walked into a normal monthly staff meeting at work and was met with a surprise. Pink balloons, confetti all over the conference table, and cake? A bridal shower for me! I have worked at CCRM for a year, and let me tell you that I work with some of the kindest, most generous people on the planet. I am known as the star baker of the clinic because I like to bake cakes for office birthdays, so it was fun having traits brought in just for me. I was given a lovely gift basket and sweet cards with marriage advice and well-wishes. In my previous job, I often felt like I was overlooked, being bottom of the totem pole. The word I took from this bridal shower was seen. I felt seen by my coworkers, and that is a really amazing feeling. Sometimes, it’s enough to just be noticed.
A few weeks later, I was invited to a small gathering at a local restaurant. This was my third bridal shower, thrown by my best friend’s mother. When I became friends with Rachael, she adopted me quickly, and I am so grateful to have her as a Texas mom. She has never held back when it comes to helping others, and that fact alone makes her deserving of the praise Rachael and I heap upon her. She never likes to draw attention to herself, but her efforts are so appreciated. The word I took from this bridal shower is honored. I was truly honored to be given such kindness, I sure as heck didn’t do anything to deserve it.
Last, but most certainly not least, was the Nebraska shower. I flew to Nebraska to attend a bridal shower on March 18th. My sister did most of the planning for this, as is tradition. And I gotta say, I hit the sister lottery when it came to my bridal shower. Steph is great at planning and organizing things, and this was no exception. I was given a shower with fun food, games, and pictures that went over beautifully. I was challenged to bake a cake with no recipe, and it turned out pretty darn good if I do say so myself.
My favorite thing about this shower was the number of people whom I hadn’t seen literally in years that were able to attend. I was so pleased to see that they were willing to make the effort to be there. I got to catch up with people who have not crossed my path in nearly a decade. Some were surprisingly similar to my faded memories, but some were so different. And I guess I’m different, too. We’re all at different places in life, and that’s kind of a cool thing to see. Did we predict that I would be one of the last in my friend group to marry? That I would be proposed to in another country? That I would meet the love of my life at an anime convention? Okay, I predicted that last one when I was in college. But the predictions don’t matter because the world is not beholden to our imaginations of the future. I’m so happy that the people from years past still think of me. The word I took from this bridal shower was remembered. From the family friends that are counting grandchildren to the schoolmates who suddenly have spouses and careers, I’m so grateful that they remember me, the fearless nerd who went north, then south.
Four bridal showers, in four different places, thrown by four different groups of people. Welcomed, seen, honored, and remembered. These are gifts that can’t be bought from a registry, and ones that I can keep forever. This blog post is here to put the spotlight on the people who made my four showers possible, and to thank them. The wedding is my day, that’s all I really need. But all of this…it sure is nice.
Now I got a wedding to plan. I hope it can live up to the hype. But even if it doesn’t, I get to marry Alex, and that’s more than enough.
