Last night was our shower, hosted by the Gum’s at their awesome house. It was so interesting to see various world collide as our friends and family met one another. The food was amazing, and we enjoyed fresh mint julep’s concocted by our friend Amy. To our surprise we had a time of public gift opening. Emily hadn’t really planned for this to be part of the evening, and I didn’t really know the protocol. I deferred to James, who doesn’t like opening presents in front of others; he vetoed the opening. However, a quick informal poll did reveal that the guests were clamoring for it, so we acquiesced.

Before we began, someone suggested that everyone go around the circle and tell they first met me and/or James. This wasn’t a tacky game; it just sort of happened very organically. It was so incredibly moving! I was tearing up at almost every story, and when James told his version of “our story,” the tears were really flowing! The consensus was that God can work through any amount of time, space, doubt and circumstance to bring people together!

Bill Sublette, photographer extraordinaire, was in attendance, and snapped some great candids. Take a look at our Co-Ed Shower gallery.

Fast-forward. When I came into the kitchen today, James was unwrapping some of our new presents and organizing them. He appears to be more interested in what was on the boxes than in them though, judging by the way I found him:

I laughed so hard when I saw all the bows he tied to himself. It was even better watching him do a dance, but I only have this awesome photo to share in proof of the gift wrap costume.