Best Surprise Bridal Shower Ever!

So since the very beginning of the semester, my mom has been planning on coming up to see me in Towson. The plan was that we would do some Wedding shopping and planning. Apparently, my very good best friend Kristin has been planning this shower pretty much since I got engaged. And she kept it a secret and was able to keep everyone quiet about it... for months! I must say, I'm very impressed. I have NEVER been more surprised in my life! I honestly had no idea whatsoever. I've always wanted to have a surprise this good, but it's never happened to this extent or even close to it. I feel proud of my friends for being able to keep it that much of a secret for so long! And afterwards I found out just how many people knew about it - which was pretty much everyone but me. That's incredible!

So needless to say, it was amazing! Here's what happened. My mom picked me up when she got in town and we left my apartment to go "shopping." She told me she looked up directions to some stores near by. Well, a few minutes down the road she tells me she thinks she missed the turn and so she's going to pull over to look at the directions. Meanwhile, I am still clueless.

So she pulls over in this park's parking lot, and I see a few girls sitting on the bench. When we get a little closer I realize they are some of my friends from Towson. Cru had a community service project that morning, so I thought that maybe it was at that park and that it had just ended. I am still not connecting the dots. So my mom tells me to talk to them while she "figures out the directions." So I hop out of the car and start talking to them. About 2 minutes later two of my roommates walk toward us from the inside of the park.

"What are you guys doing here?!" I asked.

"We wanted some roommate bonding time since we don't get to see each other too much."

You might ask, did she really fall for that? Yes, yes I did.

A minute later, a group of girls walk up from behind us. In about half a second I realized it's many of my summer project friends, who most live anywhere from an hour to several hours away.

"WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?!"

"Don't you come out to the park every Saturday?"

Yes, at this point I was very suspicious. I started slowly backing up from the group because I was confused and had no idea what to think.

I look over and see two girls walking toward us. One I recognized right away and that was my future sister-in-law, Shandra. I let out a small scream because I was really surprised to see her and this is when I confirmed my suspicions - this indeed was a Bridal shower. But then...

What?

Who's that?

Could it be?!?!

AHHHHHHH.

Yep, that was a big scream, followed by a big freak out moment. My best friend, who lives in Indiana, a good 12 hours from here, was next to Shandra. Holy cow. That's love!

Maybe you're thinking, really? You didn't recognize your own best friend? My answer is no, I didn't. But to be fair she was holding a huge camera and recording the whole thing. So yes, all of these moments have been caught on tape.

So then my mom comes up and we walk inside the park. At one of the shelters a whole shower is set up and ready to go. Decorations, games, presents, cake, food, everything! All for me. I was so touched by all the trouble that all these people from near and far went to just for me. I mean really, those are great and true friends, and I am so blessed to have them in my life.

So we ate and played a lot of really fun games that Kristin planned and it was a blast. Afterwards, we went to my apartment and hung out and the Summer Project girls spent the night. The next morning we went to church and out to lunch, and then they had to leave. I hated to see them go, especially after such a whirlwind of a weekend, but I was so thankful to spend that time with them and forever touched by how much effort everyone put in to make a truly special and remarkable Bridal Shower for me. So thank you to all of my friends and family who were a part of this wonderful day! I'll never forget it and feel so grateful to have you all in my life!