A Most Perfect Day

Saturday was my bridal "Shower by the Sea". I don't have enough adjectives in my extensive collection of Mad Libs to describe what a fantastic day we had! My mother had left a few days early to help my aunt with preparations, so my father, his sister, Eric and I squeezed into my tiny hatchback and headed out. The trip is normally about 2 hours. We gave ourselves three just in case. Three and a half hours and four detours later we finally arrived, having faced some grand trifecta of road construction, beach traffic, and the first nice day in three months. Hopefully this caused us to be fashionably late, as the guests had not yet passed out from hunger. Mom met us outside looking fabulous in a polka dot dress in appropriate colors (of course), and escorted us into the shower, which was filled with family and friends, some of whom I hadn't seen in almost 20 years! What a surprise. Mom and my aunt Judi had done a spectacular job with the decorations. There were photos of me from infancy through adulthood, handmade napkins as guest favors and incredible flower arrangements, Two extra special guests were also there, named Fred and Amanda. They were cloth dolls that my mom made for me when I was a child. She pulled them out from storage (?!?), designed and sewed wedding outfits for them and had them on display to greet me as I walked in. Fred looked just like Eric! They were so perfect, we decided to use them as our cake toppers at the wedding.

The Brother Fish

My mother belongs to a very close-knit group of friends, called the Brother Fish. They met in high school and have managed to keep in touch all these years despite cross-country moves, spouses, children, hectic careers and life in general. Each year they have a communal birthday celebration, and whenever one of their children (called guppies) gets engaged, they host a shower for the bride. I have known them my whole life, and they are part of my extended family. So it was so heartwarming to see them all there, smiling and cheering us as we walked in the restaurant.

The food was delicious, and there were the locally made whoopie pies that I had tried back in March. After everyone was sufficiently stuffed, we adjourned to the "gift room" in the back of the restaurant, which had its own deck overlooking the beach. There were mountains and mountains of gifts! I got gift certificates to doggy daycare, a local garden center, and the spa where I will get my bridal beautification done! I also received some beautiful presents, including a vintage platter, a tote bag, a handmade afghan, and many kitchen items for me and Eric. Parrish (our dog) received many lovely gifts as well.

Following the gifts was the live entertainment. At each guppy shower the Brother Fish perform a song specially composed for the couple. Our song was sung to the tune of "You Got It" by Roy Orbison, and it was hilarious and emotional and flawless. I laughed and cried.

After the shower Eric, my dad, aunt, two best friends and I went to the nearby arcade to play skeeball, a favorite game from my childhood. After winning a crapload of tickets and giving them all to a crying little girl, we celebrated by eating an enormous ice cream. A perfect ending to a perfect day!