I stared at the cars lining the driveway. I hadn’t invited anyone to my house. What in the world is going on?
Walking the familiar path to the patio, I caught a glimpse of something colorful waving in the breeze. Suddenly people began popping up from behind shrubs and lawn furniture.
“Surprise! It’s a single girl shower!”
What? A single girl shower? I looked at the faces of friends beaming at me through crepe paper streamers.
A single girl shower?
Then I remembered a conversation weeks earlier at a basketball game. We’d started talking about an upcoming bridal shower. “Yeah, you married people make out like bandits at those things,” I had said, only half joking. “I have friends who could change the sheets every day for a month without doing laundry!”
I recalled the day I helped a married friend organize her kitchen. We discovered two crock pots in unopened boxes, a spare toaster, extra dinnerware, and enough towels to circle their house. I concluded my story by saying that eight years out of college, and without the benefit of a bridal shower, I was still without many of the items of which my married friends had multiples. With that, our conversation shifted topics again, and by the time I left the game I had forgotten all about it.
Obviously my friends had not forgotten. So I found myself guest of honor at a surprise single girl shower. Friend after friend offered their gifts. By evening’s end I sat in a pile of wrapping paper and bows, surrounded by love disguised as towels, sheets, salad bowls, skillet, and teapot.
“I’m overwhelmed,” I said, looking at the smiling faces of my friends.
“Kim, we wanted to bless you with these gifts, that’s for sure. But we also want you to know how valuable you are to us, whether you’re married or not. These gifts are an expression of our love for you. Just you.”
The memories of my single girl shower are so vivid that it’s hard to believe nearly three decades have passed. The gifts have seen better days. I’m still single. But untouched by time is a far greater treasure: the memory of a special evening filled with much more than a single surprise.
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other (Romans 12:10 NLT).
What great friends you have! Great meeting you at Blue Ridge, Kim. 🙂
I agree, Vonda, I have the BEST friends! I am abundantly blessed, that’s for sure. Thanks for reading and commenting on their love and creativity. And yes, it was great meeting you at the BRMCWC, and I look forward to more time with you in October here in North Carolina! Yay God!
“love disguised as towels, sheets, and salad bowls,” Beautiful gift and lovely way of telling it. An advocate for the homeless elderly in Romania! On my way to looking at your website–never met anyone who did this!
Marcia, thank you for taking time to not only read “More than a Single Surprise” but also leaving such encouraging comments. I appreciate your interest in Elder Orphan Care, too. I agree–it’s a unique niche! ONLY GOD comes up with stuff like that! 🙂 I am grateful He chose me to be a part of such an amazing ministry. I’ll be back in Romania June 17 – July 8 and would appreciate your prayers! God bless you, Marcia!
So glad to see your writing here, Kim. It always blesses.
Thank you, Gail. And please hear God’s “Well done” because I am confident I would not be writing here if you had not been so encouraging and helpful in getting me started at http://www.wowdeewow.com ! God bless you BIG, dear friend!