Yes, the fact that I'm writing this post means I've finished my thank you cards! I'll be putting them in the mail as soon as I click "Publish."

On September 4th, my sisters -- also my maid and matron of honor -- threw me a bridal shower. Even though I'm the planner in the family, my sisters and cousins did an excellent job with my shower. They even sequestered me in the basement before the party started to make sure I didn't even attempt to help with anything..... They know me so well!

Stuck in the basement and waiting semi-patiently.

The shower was held under a tent in my sister's yard.  It was a gorgeous day, and we started off with mingling, food, and a game. The rules of the game, which continued throughout the evening, stipulated that everyone got a small token (little toasting flutes); but anyone that said the word "bride" had to give up their toasting flutes to the person that caught their slip.

The tent

A creative way to avoid saying "bride."

After we ate, then we moved into the second game, where everyone was given a game booklet and had to match up couples -- everyone from "Fred and Wilma" to "Big and Carrie."

Playing the "Match the Couple" game.

The winner, who matched 15 couples correctly!

Then we immediately moved into the third game, which put me on the spot. I had to answer 20 questions about Lu. He'd written down the answers before the shower, and I got a point if my answer matched his.

The person who won this game had to guess how many questions I'd answer correctly. Many of my relatives thought I'd answer all 20 questions correctly, while the most pessimistic person thought that I'd only be able to answer 12.

In the hot seat!

The questions were tough! I was asked everything from Lu's favorite color (brown), to his most prized possession (his life), to what he wanted to be when he grew up (a carpenter). In the end, Lu's cousin was correct in guessing that I'd be able to answer 18/20 questions correctly.... And no, we did not cheat! :-)

(My favorite question was, "What is your future husband's most embarrassing moment?" After a lot of pause and thought, I said that I thought I knew what it was but that I couldn't share it with everyone. Lu's response to the question, "She knows it, but she better not say it!")

Playing "20 Questions about the Groom."

After games, it was time for gifts. Unlike our couples shower, this was primarily an event just for women, and the gifts reflected this. However, there were a few men present: Jeremy and my brother-in-law served as the photographers, and my dad just kinda crashed the event for the food.... probably to his dismay when it came to this portion of the evening, but I'm getting ahead of myself!

Time for gifts and cards!

For the most part, Lu and I received gifts for us to share: gift cards and monetary gifts, flatware, kitchen items, cookbooks, and books on marriage. These items were definitely appreciated and will certainly help make our individual lives into one.

Reading cards.

Then there were also some gifts that were mostly geared toward me: scented lotions and body wash, a wedding scrapbook, comfortable pajamas, and a Starbucks gift card (or maybe I was supposed to share that one?!).

Our wedding scrapbook :-)

And then there were a few risque gifts: from the mild (a Victoria's Secret gift card), to the amusing (an aphrodisiac cookbook), to the sexy (leopard print lingerie and a pink corset and garter set), to the surprising (a sexy, white nightie picked out by a 70-something woman that goes to my church). Opening these gifts was a lot of fun -- once I got over the "commentary" that came with them. I was not expecting the "Oohhs!", "Aahhs!", the "Hold it up higher!", and my favorite "Turn it around! We want to see the back!"

The Little Black Book of Sex Secrets

Holding up my first nightie gift. What's even funnier than my blushing is my brother-in-law's face in the background!

Then we wrapped up the shower with the obligatory bow hat (which was actually pretty stylish), words of wisdom, and cake.

My tissue paper and bow hat!

A reminder of the meaning of love: 1 Corinthians 13

Cutting my delicious cake!

 As I blogged about previously in my post on our couples shower, the thought of a traditional bridal shower made me nervous: playing embarrassing games, holding up lingerie (or anything sexual) in front of women that I've gone to church with since I was a baby, wearing a hat made of bows, etc.

However, I had an absolutely amazing time. I was so touched by everyone's kindness and generosity -- of course, I cried again thanking everyone. But happy tears are a beautiful thing!

There's nothing sad about happy tears!