7th time around

I recently sat down to calculate how many weddings I have had the honor of participating in as a bridesmaid. Six. And in one week and one day, I will add one more notch to my bridesmaid belt of honor. It really is an honor for me to stand up with two people I know and care about and declare "I am for you!" I also tend to yell "Woo-hoo Marriage!" and "Get a room!", but that isn't usually until the reception, and I try to wait until most of the guests have had time to eat and drink a little alcohol so that my exuberance isn't so shocking.

The little moment I sat down to calculate my previous bridesmaid triumphs, turned into a longer moment as I reflected on the deep, lifelong friendships God has given. Then it turned into an epic moment as I thought about those dear friends (& family) who have yet to take the plunge. Now math is not one of my stronger skills, but I am pretty sure my bridesmaid tally may reach fourteen in the next few years. (Of course assuming that all of my closest friends get married...and assuming we are still close friends...and assuming I am still a great advocate for marriage). 14! Woo-hoo! Get a room!

I love weddings! Have I said this before? I love helping plan showers, and really enjoying & blessing the person we are "showering". One of the coolest things about being involved in wedding #7 has been getting to share the bridesmaid duties with my 2 local girls! Brooke said something to Tess & I one night while we were printing up invitations for a bridal shower, and it really made sense. She said "Sometimes when you are a bridesmaid, it can be difficult to plan and do all that you need and want to do because you are sharing it with a few other people who may live in a different state and who you may not know very well. But in this case, everytime we get together to plan or do something it's like a mini party with our closest friends!" It's true. The fun part of our preparations has been the sharing it with each other.

Here is something we (Jessica, Brooke, Tess & I) share...
A taste for zebra print.



Here is the bride-to-be trying on her zebra print apron at her bridal shower.



Here are Jessica & her 3 musketeers.


Tess, Brooke, Jessica, me.

We decided to do a gift card and recipe shower, which turned out to be fun! Everyone brought a note of encouragement, a favorite recipe, and a gift card for anything from "Date Night" places, to practical everyday needs, to "Pampering" places. I think it is a great way to shower a couple who have everything they need to set up a home.

So my sweet friends Jessica & Demi are getting married next week. They are in my small group from church, which has been meeting for almost a year now. God has really been working amongst us as a community, and we have had the chance to share some really tough struggles during this year. I am better for having walked this road with each of them, and am excited about how God will continue to work in and through us. We thought about combining Jessica & Demi's reception with our small group's one year anniversary, but decided against it. Thankfullly even I know that could be a bit tacky.

Maybe I'll just bring a small one year anniversary cake to the reception and just put it on the small groups table...yeah, that'll be less tacky. Boo, combining unimportant celebrations with important ones! Hooray SECRETLY combining unimportant celebrations with important ones!