Bridal Tea in Baltimore

My first shower was today and it was a smashing success. My adventure in green the wedding continues. And it is going off with flying colors.

Today was hosted by Kelly, my matron of honor and my future sister in law. She found the perfect location- an inn from the 1700’s that is now a state park. It has been beautifully restored with original furniture. We learned the history of the house while we sipped tea and ate lovely, rich pastries. (I was so glad I had gone for a long run that morning!) We all left quite stuffed but pleasantly so.

It was the coming together of the old and new. My “second mother” from my childhood, my friend from grad school, an old friend of Sean’s, his childhood friends, and new family and friends. I was so touched that they all trekked quite a distance to celebrate with me. It truly meant the world.

The gifts. I was so nervous. How would my desires for a green registry play out?  Was it going to fail miserably?  Was I forcing too much of my belief system on other? Was I going to have to give up and resort to Macy’s and Dillard’s? 

I had a pit in the bottom of my stomach as I sat in the center of the room surrounded by a sea of colorful boxes and bags.

Within minutes I knew all of my worry was for naught. The success was better than my wildest dream. The experiment worked!  The organic cotton kitchen towels, decorative root bowl, bamboo salad bowl, fair trade baskets.

It was a wonderful experience for all. I was able to share why I selected the gifts on my registry. My guests told their stories of their shopping adventure. Sean’s grandmother was shocked I loved the bowl made out of papaya and beets she gave me. It gave the group a terrific laugh.  There was also a sharing and exchange of knowledge across generations that I expect happened much more frequently in years past where quilt circles were common.  As the shower progressed, I felt like I had stepped back in time and captured some of what we’ve lost in the modern busy world.