It was a warm Sunday afternoon, a perfect bright and sunny beacon of the coming spring. In an upstairs room overlooking Columbia’s Main Street, preparations were underway in Lula Drake’s upper room, called the Pastor’s Study, for the most beautiful baby shower. As the midday sun beamed through the windows, fresh greenery and flowers were draped elegantly across each table, but the true focal point of the room was the wooden wheelbarrow filled with vegetables and adorned with a stuffed Peter Rabbit, a nod to the theme of the shower. Shortly after noon, family and friends from near and far began to arrive, and the room buzzed with the excited thrum of conversation as they awaited the arrival of the guest of honor. Suddenly, the two grandmothers-to-be whisked away to the stairwell to meet Caitlin—the glowing mama-to-be. As she entered the room, her eyes shining with joy and excitement, she began to exclaim over all the dear ones who had come from great distances to be there to celebrate her and the sweet baby on the way. It was impossible not to feel the love in the room, and I could only begin to imagine how it will surround this sweet family as they bring this new life into the world!

The clocks rolled back to the 1920s. Candles and lamps gave a warm glow to the darkness of the living-room-turned speakeasy. The bartender served up signature cocktails with a flair to guests dressed in flapper and mobster attire. Big band music played from the speakers and mixed with the joyful chatter of the mingling party-goers.

Suddenly, Diana — the guest of honor — was spotted out the window, and the excited crowd gathered at the back door to greet her. As she stepped into the room, her eyes shimmered bright with excitement. She scanned the crowd, looking at the faces of her dear friends gathered to celebrate her birthday and beaming from ear to ear. “Oh my gosh, this is AMAZING!” she exclaimed, taking in every one of the carefully-planned details and hugging each of her guests. It was the start of an evening that Diana would describe as her “best birthday EVER!”

You could tell from the feel of the morning that it was going to be a perfect, sunny September day in the south.  The warm morning air held a breath of the coming fall, setting the perfect scene at the quaint and picturesque Mary’s at Falls Cottage — a venue suited as much for an intimate bridal shower brunch as it would be to play out a scene from a Jane Austen novel!

As the guests ascended the stairs and stepped out onto the bright balcony, they were greeted by cheerful white balloons — a fun nod to the “bubbles and brunch” theme — and a long, beautiful table full of handmade details put together by the bride’s sister and Maid of Honor, Suzanne.
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While they eagerly awaited the arrival of the bride-to-be, the guests chatted with one another, sipped mimosas and peach Bellinis, and enjoyed the beautiful views of Greenville’s Falls Park below.  Then, the moment they were waiting for arrived — the beaming guest of honor walked through the door, absolutely radiant with love, joy, and excitement! You could feel the love as she made her way around the room, embracing her loved ones and beaming with that special glow that every bride-to-be has.