SHOWERS

October 3, 2007

As the wedding approaches, Lena and I have been in a constant state of preparedness. The process of completing a pre-wedding to-do list has been a much more daunting task than I first imagined, arranging meetings with bakers, florists, musicians, clergy, counselors, wedding planners, event coordinators, photographers, videographers and the list goes on. There are hotel rooms to be blocked off, tuxes to be reserved, limos to be rented, directions to be printed, and invitations to be sent. In a word, it’s madness. However, through it all one thing prevails. When the checklist has been completed and the day arrives, it will be an amazing occasion to watch my bride come through the doors with her father at her side, surrounded by family and friends, and together turn the page to a new chapter in our lives.

Through all the hustle of organizing for the big day, there have been moments of fun. Such moments consist of getting together with friends and opening gifts. I guess being a guy, you’re never exposed to the phenomenon known as “The Shower.” I can vividly remember being five or six years old and on occasion hearing Mom say she was headed to a shower. She always had shiny packages wrapped in ribbons and bows when she went on these outings but my infantile mind could never quite make the connection between gifts and personal daily hygiene. Well, after the past three months, I now understand quite well what a shower is. As I sit and write, my peripheral vision spies a living room littered with boxes and tissue paper encasing bath towels, dishes, toasters, and the occasional oddity like an egg yolk separator or a popsicle stick picture frame, of which all we are genuinely grateful for.

Lena has attended many showers. I have fortunately only attended one. I’ve come to find the “Wedding Shower” environment is no place for a man. In fact, I owe a big thanks to my good friend Cody Deese for granting me a reasonable excuse to forgo the last shower. He somehow managed to score 40 yard line tickets to the Florida/Tennessee game in Gainesville. Can I just pause and say the Gators looked FLAWLESS!!

All in all, getting to the wedding has been a long endeavor but fun nonetheless. I guess it helps when you have a breathtaking bride, a supporting family, and encouraging friends. Just one piece of advise though… ELOPE!!!
No, I’m kidding, but really…
Much Love,
Jason