Bridal showers can be overwhelming, but in a good way.

THE WEDDING SHOWER VIBE ON SATURDAY OCT. 5TH AT WATERMARK C.C.

As I placed the last stamp upon the last envelope of my thank you note marathon yesterday, I realized it was just that: a marathon. Not a sprint, not a short jog... but a marathon. A marathon's worth of people deserved thank you notes (the very least I can do to show our gratitude) after showering me with gifts and kind worded cards last weekend.

Originally, Jeff and I hadn't planned on doing a registry. And even before that, I thought we could get away with not having any bridal showers at all. Jeff would move in with me and we'd live in my fully furnished (not from college) loft downtown and wouldn't need a thing. Also, the thought of playing wedding shower games rather than just sharing cocktails with the awesome women in my life didn't sound at all appealing.

HYDRANGEAS ARE MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE AND THESE ARE FROM MARI'S GARDEN. SO PRETTY.

However, after some advice about tradition offered by our mothers, we followed through and organized both. And like most situations in life... the Moms were right.

After 3 bridal showers, the overwhelming amount of love really begins to set it - and it's not even the wedding yet! I now understand that the registry and the showers are not just for the bride and groom... they're also for the family and friends.

Having a registry means Aunt Carol can purchase the large photo frame we picked out that will soon display our wedding portrait. And having a shower means she gets to watch as her gift is opened knowing it's something we'll keep forever. It means Aunt Kathy gets to finally tell the story about her nephew, "Jeff told me a long time ago that when he got married all he wanted as a gift was a gurgle pot." A gurgle pot he wanted, and a gurgle pot we got (say that ten times fast). And it also means that my Mom gets to watch as her only daughter goes through the same tradition that she did when she married my Dad.

I get it now. Registries and bridal showers are your friends and family's way of showing you they support your marriage and that they love you. And THAT... is very special.

{ N.R.S. }