The brunch was held at one of my mom's closest friend's home. Susan is such a great hostess so I was overly anxious to finally see all that she had prepared come together for such a sweet occasion.
Here are some of the details of our place settings. So beautiful-- I still can't get over it!
One of the many thoughtful details: notice the antique, gold perfume bottles at each place setting. Susan got each woman at the brunch their own perfume bottle to go along with the verse written on the invitation, "The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense." Prov. 27:9, describing the sweet relationship and friendship I have with each person in attendance. So thoughtful! She even mentioned to the BM's they could use it as their "something old" on their wedding day when the time came. SO SPECIAL!
Another exceptional detail: Once Susan decided that she wanted to host my BM's brunch, she asked me if I'd think of a word that described each of the ladies coming to the brunch. She also asked if I'd be comfortable with sharing a little about why I chose that word for that specific person, and of course I said I'd love to! So after some thought, I came up with a word to describe each of the special ladies and gave the info to Susu. Little did I know the reasoning behind all of it…
After getting to the brunch and visiting for a bit, I began noticing the fine details of the party. I noticed that at each place setting, the linen napkins had words embroidered onto them… the words that I had chosen for each girl! After welcoming all of us as a group into her home, Susan gave a brief speech on I was going to place each lady at their place setting. (They still didn't know why). So I went around each table and said by name for that lady to sit there. It was neat for each girl to read what their napkin said… still not totally understanding why they were assigned to that exact seat.
We enjoyed a fabulous brunch… everything looked great and tasted even better! Susu was such a great host, to no surprise, and I think both my water glass and my fruit tea glass were filled at all times thanks to her!
So, Susan had my favorite cake made… carrot cake… and had the bakery place a charm in the cake. She cut the cake so all 7 of my bridesmaids (had to exempt Abby because she's already hitched!) each got a piece of the cake. (Everyone else got a piece, too, just not a piece from the cake she knew the charm was in!)
And by the looks of the next picture, I'm sure you can guess who received the lucky soon-to-be-bride charm… Miss Sara T!
After the charm madness and everyone got dessert, the words on the napkins came into play. I shared what word I would use to describe each person and told a little reasoning behind it.
Because this is like my "scrapbook" or "journal", I'm going to share what I said in hopes that I'll always be able to come back to this post, read it, and cherish the special relationships.
Nana—LOVING—if I could choose a word to describe Nana it
would be loving. She loves to love. She adores her family and her friends. She
loves being a snowbird in Florida, Sonic cherry cokes, and her little
convertible bug. But most importantly, she loves her one and only granddaughter,
Lauren Ashley. And for the love I have always felt from you, I’m thankful that
you are in my life!
Mamaw—SINCERE—if I could choose a word to describe Mamaw it
would be sincere. Just like Dr. Suess said, “I meant what I said and I said
what I meant” you can depend on her to be truthful and honest. She is sincere
in her opinion, sincere in her advice, and sincere in her giving. And for your sincerity, I’m thankful you are
in my life!
Maw—BIG-HEARTED—if I could choose a word to describe Maw it
would be big-hearted. If she wanted to be like the Tin Man from Wizard of Oz (with
no heart) I don’t believe she could… she has too much compassion for her big
(and now growing with me joining!) family! She expresses her big heart through
her smile and hugs, her generosity, her loyalty, and giving of smacks on the
cheek! And for your heart, I am thankful you are in my life!
Grammy—KIND—if I could choose a word to describe Grammy it
would be kind. She has a kind, soft, tender, and warm spirit that makes you
feel so loved. She is one to volunteer and most definitely has a servant heart.
She makes one of a KIND homemade jam, made from fresh fruits from Michigan… jam
that I hope will soon make its to Memphis. And for you gentle and kind spirit,
I am thankful you are in my life!
Denise—CHEERFUL—if I could choose a word to describe Denise
it would be cheerful. She is a happy,
optimistic person. I believe she chooses to be positive, even when it might not
be the easiest choice. She is full of cheer as she does (and I believe enjoys
doing) loads of laundry, as she talks Cowboys football and Lakers basketball, when
she has her 3 boys and 2 girls and 1 Baby A altogether, and especially if you
take her to get pizza and to the movies. And for you cheerful personality, I am
thankful you are in my life!
Brittany—GENUINE—if I could choose a word to describe
Brittany it would be genuine. Whether it’s her thoughts or her actions, she is
genuine and true in them all. Premarriage for her, we had many vacation nights,
laying in bed while our boys slept on couches or blow up mattresses, staying up
till 2 or 3 am, just talking about life—conversation that was genuine, sincere,
heartfelt, and that I cherished. She has a genuine love for Starbucks, Mud Pie
clothes for Averi, and creating and hosting any type of party, shower, or celebration.
And for you genuine character, I am thankful you are in my life!
Caitlin—SPIRITED—if I would choose a word to describe
Caitlin it would be spirited. You will find Caitlin wherever fun and excitement are, in high spirits, ready to have a get together. She brings positive energy
wherever she goes, leaving you no other choice than to enjoy her company. She
is a great encourager, has an upbeat attitude, and will say and sometimes do
things that will crack you up! She is passionate about her friends and family, watching
TV series on DVD one full season at a time, making all guests and friends feel comfortable and welcome, and her Crimson Tide. And for your
vibrant, spirited qualities, I am thankful you are in my life!
Leslie--CLASSY-- If I could choose a word to describe Leslie it would be classy. She is classy in more than just her sense in fashion, but also in the way she treats others and the way she carries herself. She is now an independent, "big girl job" working woman, of which I am so proud and have so much respect for. Leslie is a leader, not a follower. She and I share a mutual love of walking/running outdoors, TJ Maxx and Marshalls shopping, and reading blogs. For your class, I am thankful you are in my life!
Sarah Beth--DRIVEN-- If I could choose a word to describe SB it would be driven. Whatever she sets her mind to she will accomplish. Because of her self motivation, she is a great motivator to all who need encouragement and affirmation. Whether its dance, running, having the goal of getting into nursing school, etc. she works hard at it and her hard work pays off. But with all the hard work and drive, don't she's a serious person. She still is a goof that will make Facebook videos with me of us dancing like Napoleon Dynamite. Because of her drive in pursing life, love, faith, and happiness--I know she will accomplish great things in life. For your driven attitude, I am thankful you are in my life!
Sara T--AUTHENTIC-- If I could choose a word to describe Sara it would be authentic. She is the real deal. Troy and I have often discussed and both admire how original and authentic Sara is. Sara isn't one to follow the crowd--she will do what she thinks is best when she thinks its best to be done. She is authentic in her compassion for others, in her love of diet coke, in her southern drawl, in her pain tolerance with numerous injuries, and in her admiration of her family. And for your authentic soul, I am thankful you are in my life.
Sara N--DETERMINED-- If I could choose a word to describe Sara it would be determined. I've thought this and known this about Sara since the first summer we started working together. Through our many, many daily life talks, you have been such an encouragement to me in reminding me everything happens for a reason and all things work out for the best. I love that we love Sonic drinks, finding the best deals on clothes and accessories, and planning out every detail of every waking second of our days. I'm so proud of all you've accomplished through your determination and know there are amazing plans in store for your life. For you determined spirit, I am thankful that you are in my life.
Abby--JOYFUL-- If I could choose a word to describe Abby it would be joyful. Abby is joy. Not to sound too cheesy, Abby has so much joy its like she gives off light, just like the sun (which might make sense because she loves the sun so much!) She is one of the most disciplined people I have every met and for that I have great admiration for her! She finds joy in running, eating oatmeal, scrapbooking, Chick-fil-a, and being a wonderful wife to Andy! And for your joy and the joy you give me, I am thankful you are in my life.
Laine--ENTERTAINING-- If I could choose a word to describe Laine it would be entertaining. This girl makes me laugh more than anyone else I've ever been around. Her personality is engaging and charming by all who encounter her. I don't believe she's ever met a stranger and I doubt she ever will. Her drive to help others and desire for everyone to feel special make her such a special friend to me. She is the peanut butter to my jelly, the icing to my cupcake, and the fruit to my juicer. For you entertaining personality, I am thankful you are in my life.
Robin--SOPHISTICATED-- If I could choose a word to describe Robin it would be sophisticated. She is so chic. She has opened my eyes to so many things, most of which my parents bank accounts are not appreciative of. She is "cultured" (as she loves to be described as), fashionable, high maintenance, and clever. I love that we love to listen to music really loud in your 4Runner, eat fro-yo, watch E! and Bravo, and get our nails done. I can't wait to spend time together in Memphis! And for your sophisticated manner, I am thankful you are in my life!
Mom--GENEROUS-- If I could choose a word to describe Mom it would be generous. She is generous in her wisdom and gives it to much of her family and many of her friends. She is generous in giving material/tangible things to those in need and less fortunate than her. She is generous in her heart to help others--giving much of her time to volunteer and serve. She is generous in her advice whenever I need it. She is generous in her service in the schools, church, and the community in general. She is generous in her selflessness-- she is one of the most selfless people I know. But most importantly she is abundantly generous in her LOVE for Dad, Reece, and me. I'm so thankful for this quality in her--she has taught me the importance of putting others first and making sacrifices for family. I believe my heart to help others has 100% been given to me by her example. She's my best friend and for her generosity, I am thankful she is in my life!
(The first surprise to me: Mom had picked a word for me and it was embroidered on my napkin. The word was "exceptional" and she explained why she chose that word for me. Tears were shed-- SO SWEET!)
After I had talked about each lady-- the word that I chose for them and why-- Susan then presented me with the linen napkins and encouraged me to keep and pursue these special friendships and relationships I have with these sweet women, and to also take these positive qualities that they possess, and look for the same qualities in others as Troy and I make new friends in the years ahead. And to my surprise (2nd surprise for me!), she gave them to me (they were the Pottery Barn linen napkins I had registered for!) and said depending on how I present them, I can display the "words", get a "W" embroidered on another corner to show that, or just display them with no embroidery at all! Such a special gift from Susan that I will always keep, use, and be reminded of my closest (female) family and friends!
(And a side note: that evening at home, after the rehearsal dinner and everything, Mom and I were telling Reece, Dad, and Courtney all about the brunch and were explaining how each person sat where "their napkin" was placed and Reece said he wanted to try and guess who's was who… AND HE GOT ALL BUT 1 RIGHT! He wasn't sure about Troy's grandmothers because he really doesn't know them. But we couldn't believe he got all others correct--just solidifies the word choices were great for each person!)
I passed out my 2nd gift to all my bridesmaids… earrings for them to wear on the wedding day! I found them on Anthropologie's website last summer, fell in love, and thought they'd be such good BM gifts, so I decided to go ahead and get them for the girls.
Anthropologie also gave me the cutest little boxes to wrap them up in. I wish I would have taken an up-close picture of the gift boxes and the earrings.
What a special time just before our special, special day! (Have I said "special" too much in this posting?!) Thanks Su for everything! I will always remember how unique, thoughtful, and special (ha) this day was!
Love each of you girls so much! Thank you for your priceless friendship!
