Monday, February 7, 2011

Monday Memories -- Bridal Showers


1982.  Vera and Elsie hosted it in Vera’s big family room in her basement.  Vera gave me beautiful blue glasses.  Isabelle gave me a pewter bread plate that says, “Give us this day our daily bread.”  We drank punch and I wore a paper plate hat made of ribbons and bows.  I was very humbled that the women of our community would be so generous and kind.  It was my bridal shower.



 One of the things I love about Ande is her enthusiasm.  Several times in the last few weeks when I talked to her on the phone, she would pause and then say, “Guess what, Mom?  They’re going to have a party!  For me!  I can’t wait.”  She was speaking of these three women who were hosting a bridal shower for her:

Shelly, Becky, Brenda

And it was a party. 

Shelly is so dependable and such a follow-through person.  She held the shower in her beautiful home and made sure the guest list was covered and complete and that everyone felt welcomed and wanted.  Shelly is the one that taught our girls that a shower is a time for the older women of the community to welcome and include the new brides into that circle of friendship that women have.  Shelly offers the hand that pulls them into that circle.  It’s the feeling of being wanted that makes a party.

Becky is a thoughtful, detail person.  The girls often refer to special things as “It has that Becky flair to it.”   Becky planned the invitations and games around Literature and Art, two of Ande’s favorite things.  (One game was called The Perfect Literary Man.  Becky asked Ande to write a description of Joe which she added to the descriptions of the likes of Rhett Butler, the Phantom, The Count, Mr. Rochester, etc.  We matched the descriptions to the men.)  And since one of Ande’s favorite pieces of art is Starry Night, Becky had us all write a wish for Ande and then compiled them in a darling, bejeweled book.  It’s the details that make a party.
  
Brenda is a fun and bright conversationalist.  She includes others in the talk and laughs easily.  She’s a breath of fresh air.  Brenda personifies party.  She also comes with a platter of hand-dipped chocolates.  One of my favorite times of any party that Brenda helps to host is when she personally serves the chocolates to the guests.  I love watching everyone’s eyes light up at choosing and Brenda identifying the different shapes and designs while visiting with each guest.  Laughter, fun conversation, and chocolates make a party.

The bonus to these women’s party talents is that they are all very good cooks.  


Ande was thrilled.  It was her party!  It was a fun time to share with her and women who love and care about her.  It was humbling to be with women of the community who are so generous and kind.

Betty Lou, LuDeen, Betty
Ande

. . . the hands that pull them into the circle of friendship . . . 

14 comments:

Nikki said...

What a beautiful way to describe the purpose of a bridal shower! I too recall wearing bows in my hair.

I am so happy and excited for Ande. And for you too! Your family is growing!

Susan said...

What a beautiful party and what a beautiful bride!! Congrats to the whole family!!

Grace said...

That was such a fun bridal shower. Shelly, Brenda, and Becky did such a good job putting it together!

I'm excited for you to be a married woman, Andrew! I love you!

melanie said...

I don't even know the inside joke that goes along with Grace's comment but it cracked me up. Andrew, ha.

I can't imagine a party planned by those three not being fabulous. I'm so glad you had a good time, great photos.

Cassidy said...

How fun!!! Wish I could've been there!

Cali said...

Oh what a party it was! I went away bummed it was over (and it wasn't even my party)... I'd been looking forward to it for weeks. You nailed it mom. A shower is like all the women of the community hugging you and saying "Welcome to a new phase of life. We're so glad you're here."

I loved that picture of Ande looking at Betty Lou's ring. Funny how time can be SOOO irrelevant sometimes.

Cali

Lucy said...

Will it sound weird if I admit that I am also delighted when a party is "just for me!" I love Ande's smile and her excitement. All brides deserve to be in the spotlight and I'm glad her shower was so well organized and fun.

tina said...

Awe . . . love it. Great memories!

michelle said...

This is delightful! I love the idea of welcoming the new brides into the circle of friendship. What wonderful gifts each of those women has – I would love to be a person who makes others feel wanted.

Derek-Jenny-Kaitlynd-Ethan-Dylan said...

Yay for Andy! I am so happy for you....he is a lucky man!

Leslie said...

How wonderful for your daughter! I think bridal showers are so fun and special and such a great way to celebrate an upcoming marriage.

Jill said...

I think this post is going to change the way I think about bridal showers.

I loved this line, what a great compliment, " Shelly offers the hand that pulls them into that circle."

sheila piper said...

It looks lovely. I would have loved to have been there.

sheila piper said...

It looked lovely...I wish I could have attended