Taking a Shower

Bite-size grilled cheese sandwiches with shots of tomato soup. Chunky chicken salad on baked mini-pitas. Nutella-infused ravioli. And goodness gracious, homemade lollipops so pretty you almost don't want to eat them (my new obsession!).

If baby showers could receive awards, the one I just attended in North Carolina would be polishing its gold medal right about now. It was in honor of one of my best friends--a woman who is near and dear to my heart for a thousand reasons. And after this weekend, I am counting among those reasons the fact that she has other best friends who can throw a mean--and I mean MEAN--party for a lovely lady who's about to have a baby.

Now, this was a chic shower that meant serious SERIOUS business. But want to know the most gorgeous part of the whole shebang? Every morsel of the food, every inch of the decor--every ribbon on every gift--was prepared with love. And that made this shower one that surrounded my friend with reminders that she really does have everything she needs to raise a little one: family who will travel any distance to support her, friends ready and excited to lend a hand, access to people who've been there before, and a not one, but two, brand-spankin'-new diaper genies.