A short while ago, I was a bridesmaid in a high school friend’s wedding.  M and I traveled to my hometown, stayed with my parents, and had a great time at the wedding and all of the surrounding festivities.   I am so happy for my friend.  She is an exceptional person, and the man she married seems to be very special too.   Importantly, he seems to realize how incredible she is.  He looked like a guy who had just won the lottery (which, in my opinion, he did). 

The bridesmaids’ luncheon was hosted by several of the brides’ mother’s friends, and was a very Proper and Southern luncheon (i.e. fine china, small portions of food, and large portions of small talk).  Before serving the cake, the hostess asked the bride to introduce each of her bridesmaids, and then one by one each of us pulled a ribbon from the cake, revealing a silver charm.  Once the charm was revealed, the hostess would announce some connection between the charm and our future life.  (As an aside, I’ve been in a lot of weddings, and have never seen this done before–is anyone familiar with this?) 

The first bridesmaid pulled her charm, and it was a baby carriage.   “You will have many children,” said the hostess.  

As I waited my turn, I was really hoping that there weren’t any more baby carriage charms in that cake.  I am truly terrible at hiding my feelings, and I did not want to get sad (or worse, visibly awkward and emotional) if pronouncements about any future babies I might or might not have came my way.  Particularly in front of a room of strangers.  I started to steel myself. 

The next bridesmaid pulled out a money charm.  “You will be very wealthy.” 

“Stop over-analyzing this,” I thought.  Whatever charm I pull out means absolutely nothing, and to ascribe any more meaning to something this silly is just ridiculous.  For goodness’ sake, this is a silly shower game.  Just smile, pull a charm, smile, and move on.

Next, a wedding cake.  “You will be the next to get married.”   Everyone oohs and ahhs, because this bridesmaid is actually getting married in just a few months. 

Then it was my turn.  I reached for an innocent-looking blue ribbon, unable to shake off the feeling that I really did want this charm to be something good to look forward to.  A sign, perhaps?  Even though it was such a small thing, I wanted my pronouncement to be something true.  And something fabulous. 

I pulled out a sailboat. 

“You will have a life of travel and adventure.”

Yes, I thought.  Yes I will.

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