My hair looked incredible thanks to a fresh cut and colour by Lindsey, the one and only hairstylist I’ve loved–and who “gets” me–on the same level as Raygon.

Here’s my sweet Grandma trying to make sense of the orange crocheted bikini I got…as a joke, of course. {Everybody knows I totally only sport fuchsia swimwear!}

Of all the lovely domestic goodies I received (and I received many; people were so generous), this apron was the most beautiful. But then, I’ve always appreciated what aprons do for my figure–they’re so…cinch-able!

My mom’s been great through it all, considering her youngest daughter is moving out of the country. She thought it was funny, though, that I didn’t know how to use half the gifts I received at the shower–even the ones I registered for! {She must be so proud…}

And I mustn’t forget to post a photo of me with my big sister, who made it all possible. She started working on the adorable invitations back in the summertime, and had been planning out the menu for months. And this she had to deal with, on top of working full-time, taking classes for her masters (master’s? masters’? Help me out, Sis!) degree, and having a real-life child growing inside her…she’s wonderful. (She also gave me the most adorable rocking chair I’ve ever beheld, which deserves–and will get–a post all its own.)

This is a photo of my very first apothecary jar. I have always been inclined to like these, and I about had a heart attack when my friend Lee included it as part of a much-too-kind gift. (She has since given me two more, and I was no less excited about the others than I was with the first.) The dark chocolate M&Ms were included with my prize.

So there it is. My second bridal shower was a smashing success! Many thanks to all who helped, attended, and participated (I always stress out about parties in honour of me–I worry too much, I guess). And an extra-notable thank you to Lindsay White Sherman, who took over 200 photos of the event when she found out my camera was out of battery juice–I told her not to but she seemed to think I would regret it otherwise. She was right. Thanks a million, Momentito!

**Of course I realise this is a ridiculously long post–why else would I have put it off so long? If you survived it, and masochistically want to subject yourself to more, stay tuned for the next installment of Marital Bliss and Other Whimsies, as featured here on Archives of our Lives.