Prayers and Punch

Every now and then, I find myself in a situation in which I'm reminded of the uniqueness of where I live. I guess it's a little apropos considering I've got a Mardi Gras parade bulldozing its way through my neighborhood tomorrow, but this afternoon, I was reminded of the deep South culture in which I was raised and in which I try to assimilate myself.

My childhood buddy Myles (we've known each other since our month-apart births and his mom has never been afraid to treat me like her own) is getting married. He's marrying a really great girl who hails from Michigan and I'm really excited for them. So, of course, with a wedding coming up this summer, wedding showers are in order and the first one commenced this afternoon. Which brings me back to our southern culture...

It was the kind of wedding shower where all your mom's friends are there- the kind of ladies that you sort of know, but not really- or maybe you did when you were little, but you definitely can't come up with names. And there were candelabras and heart-shaped chicken salad sandwiches and pantyhosed legs and pink punch and southern draws and oohs and ahhs over the pewter serving pieces as Sarah opened each bow-attacked package. It was one of those showers that worked like a well-oiled machine, with the multiple-hostess team manning their zones, from greeter to snack master, to present displayer, to party favor distributor, to garbage collector. It was impressive. Myles' little sister was there taking it all in with me and her comment was a little under her breath, but it was something to the effect of her feeling like she was in some sort of "Gone With the Wind" meets the future time warp. And at one point, Sarah reached for a teal package, asking where Lewis' was. Silly Sarah. She's got so much to learn... ;)

But it was really good. Very good. Sarah was genuine and kind as she opened all her presents and since I didn't have any kids with me, I could just sit back on the overstuffed couch with my spicy cheese straws and punch and take it all in. So in my quiet cozy corner, I prayed for Sarah and Myles- that their home would be filled with love and children and the blessing of the Lord for years and years to come. I was so glad to be there and to be a part of the blessing that was today.

So congrats, friends. Here's to years of love for the journey through life together!