OK, so we have been very busy getting prepared for Kate and Matt's wedding. The next six weeks will be intense. My posting has been sparse the last few weeks because of the Bridal Shower. We managed to almost pull off a surprise, and I am happy to report that I wasn't the one to spill the beans. I'll just leave it at that. A wonderful day was had by all. The very gracious (and youthfully beautiful) Mary Ellen at the Bonny Blue House opened her lovely home as the location for the shower. It was perfect on so many levels. But I think the most important was that my friends, and I have been truly blessed with girlfriends who are more like sisters, were able to model for the younger ladies what true Christian friendship is. I felt so loved by all... and it wasn't even my party! I pray that Kate felt that same love. How could she not feel it? She walked into a room full of people who genuinely share in her joy, pray for her happiness, and love her as their own daughter. My prayer is that the Lord blesses her with true friends throughout her life, in the same way He has taken care of me in that area.
We had about forty women, ages 5-95. Lots of snacks, food... and oh, the desserts! Yum! I wasn't hungry until the next day!
The generousity was overwhelming. Kate and Matt are starting out the old-fashioned way... very little money, very few possessions, and lots of love. They don't have a place of their own yet. And she will spend the last days of her single life in the home of her parents, who, with bittersweet tears will give her to her anxious groom on their wedding day. Believe me, as someone who has taught pre-cana for fifteen years, they are an anomaly in these parts. Most couples have an apartment together at the very least, if not a mortgage between them. Today's couples really miss out on the joy of building a marriage from the ground up. It may sound strange, but I am happy that Kate and Matt will struggle a bit in the beginning. I truly believe they will grow as a couple from it. I know Dan and I did.
So without further ado, I give you the pictures of the wedding preparations and shower from the past week:
Dan is honing the address list on an excel spreadsheet.
Jessie wanted favors for the shower, so we made fancy cupcakes and decorated individual cupcake boxes for each guest.
Not sure she looks surprised... but she gets an "A" for effort.
Matt stuck around long enough for the surprise and then headed back to stay at my house with Dan and the other men-folk. My 17yo son, Ben came by to say hello to his Aunts and left without eating any of the "woman-food" as he calls it. What, real men don't eat triscuits with cream cheese and cucumbers, sprinkled with lemon pepper? His loss, they were yummy!
The mountain of gifts looked enticing! I think married folks should have a shower every fifteen years or so, don't you?
Time to get started. There is work to be done!
Aunts and cousins and friends looking on.
Great-great Aunt Grace and Kate.
Great-great friend and me! Love you Mary Ellen!!!
It was a shame we had to cut into this beauty of a cake, but someone had to do it! (For all who know how much I love making cakes ... umm... no, I didn't make this one!)
