{Looking back} My own bridal shower

After hosting Chelsea and Joe's bridal shower a couple of weeks ago, I got nostalgic about my own bridal shower that was almost four years ago. Looking back on my blog (yes, I had my blog waaaayyyy back then!) I realized I did a piss poor job of documenting the fantastic day. So, let's try this again: looking back, my own bridal shower.

On June 18th 2006 my Grandparents hosted a bridal shower tea for me in their rose garden (here is the link to the original blog post). My grandparent's garden is awe inspiring. Really. It is so beautiful that my best friends Ben and Jo even decided to get married there.

When my Grandma and Grandpa offered to host my shower I jumped at the chance. I knew it would be something I would never ever forget, due to their knack for party planning, attention to detail, and the superior setting.

I wanted to have a tea party. I wanted to invite men as well as woman, and I wanted to have it on a fine June day all before my wedding day in July. Of course my grandparents fulfilled my every wish.

For about two months before my shower I fussed about my dress. I am not one to fuss much over clothes, and haven't ever really purchased expensive clothing in the past, but for my one and only bridal shower I wanted to have the perfect outfit. I looked for ages, and finally decided on this silk Ann Taylor dress that seemed to fit the garden tea party perfectly. I even bought the earrings and hair tie to match, which, again, is something I'd never done.
The guest list was about thirty people, men and women. My grandparents set out round tables in the upper garden and each one had a tablecloth and beautiful antique china. Also, each table had a teapot centerpiece overflowing with roses. It was stunning.
We asked people to dress for an afternoon tea, which mean everyone was in their finest duds. E and I circulated tables, nibbling on tea sandwiches, scones and sipping on tea, while we visited with our guests. Again and again we returned to my grandparent's side to tell them how amazing it all was. (Yep, that is my grandpa in dark green on the right side of the photo).
Like I said above, all the tables were set with beautiful china. This set of blue violets was my Great Grandma Mary's tea set. Isn't it perfect?
Notice the centerpieces and the stunning garden beyond.
My best friends were able to attend the very special day. Justin is being craJy, as always.
The future bride and groom (E and I) were very much in love. I thought I could never love anybody more than I loved E that day. How silly I was. My love for E has grown three fold, and of course there's Baby Man now too.
Isn't E adorable? We are opening presents, and as you can see, he is very excited about something we received from REI. Also, notice the amazing bouquet on the dessert table behind us.
One of my most precious gifts from that day were the antique tea cups my Grandparents bought us while they were in London only weeks before. They picked out two very special cups, one for E and one for myself and carefully carried them back to the states.
I have the most wonderful and tender memories of this day. My Grandma and Grandpa went all out to make this day so so so special for me and their future grandson E. Only about a week later my Grandpa announced to the family that he had cancer in his bladder. He had known the day of the tea, and wanted to keep it secret for a little longer so that day could be all about me. I can't imagine how much work went into the shower, how much they did, all with the new and horribly fresh knowledge that he had cancer.

My Yosemite wedding was really bittersweet. I was marrying the man I adored, in the most beautiful place in the world. The weather was beyond specular, the most important people in the world were with me to share the day. Yet, my parents had just finalized their divorce and my Grandpa was going home the following week to start chemo. Maybe that is why I treasure the memory of my bridal shower more fiercely now than ever before, and why I love this wedding day photo more with each passing day. Six months later my Grandpa passed away, and 3.5 years later my Grandma had a stroke. I treasure these times where they were both alive and healthy so so so much.
I don't want to end this post on such a sad note. Really, my Grandpa lived a very full and long life, and my Grandma is getting better and better by the day. Last Wednesday she returned home! She is a fighter.

And, one last final note, notice how many links I have to old posts I have here? I am so grateful I've had my blog for so long, even through tough and scary times. What an awesome way to remember things. If my fateful readers (I know there are three of you) have ever thought of blogging and don't already do so, now is the time. It is a gift to yourself. I could never put into words how much my blog means to me. How much I value it. It is one of my greatest belongings. Get blogging!