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Meet Alice. Alice is the latest member to join the Roe family. She and our son, Eric will be married next month in London where they met in church. And what a coincidence that Mark and I also met in church?!

Alice and Eric were engaged in October and will be married in April and Mark and I were engaged in the month of October and were married in April. Mark and I have been married for over three decades, so I will take that as a good sign for our Eric and his beautiful bride-to-be! 

Alice and Eric met in London and they decided to live in the states together. So, Eric moved back to West Chester and Alice will move here after the wedding. This strong, courageous young lady will leave her friends and family and everything she knows to start a new life as a wife and a career woman in Pennsylvania.

I wanted to give her a bridal shower and since she was here visiting for a couple of weeks and everyone she knows is back in England, I invited our friends, our neighbors and members of our church. Alice fit right in as we played games and got to know each other better.

On the left below is my dear friend, Heather. Heather is so creative and talented and she helped me immensely with the planning of the shower including the games we played and the "stations" we visited. I couldn't have done it without Heather. 

The first "station" the guests visited was in the kitchen. We asked our friends to each bring a recipe to share an one ingredients from that recipe. Heather later took the recipe cards and put together a cookbook for Alice and the ingredients will go in their apartment to helps start the newlyweds off.

"Station" #2 was Jenga! The guests wrote a piece of marital advice on each block and the "kids" will read them later when they play with their friends on game night! How fun and clever is that?!

Our friends were asked to highlight their favorite Bible verse at "Station" #3 in a special couple's version. Heather put the finishing touch on the table by framing their engagement photo. My heart!

Then we played a game .... thank you, Heather. It was called the "pocketbook game. It was played similar to the old TV show, "Let's Make A Deal" where we were given points for certain items we had in our pocketbooks. The more obscure the item, the more points we received. It was a lot of fun.

Then everyone went around the room and introduced themselves sharing how they knew either Eric, Mark and/or me. Then, dear, sweet Alice shared her story. She spoke lovingly about her parents and talked about previous jobs she held and the career path she is hoping for here in the states. 

Alice then beamed and told everyone how she met Eric at Bible study. She loves the Lord, but confessed she was also looking for "cute boys". When Eric introduced himself to her that night and they locked eyes, she knew she had met the right "cute boy". She even told her friends, "I met a cute American boy!"

And what kind of celebration would it be without food? We enjoyed chicken salad pinwheels, finger sandwiches, fruit, vegetables, dips and desserts. We also drank "Blushing Bride Punch" and tea just like an English Garden Tea Party.

But don't get the wrong impression and think I am that talented; I cannot take credit for the lovely spread. My friend, Diane, from church catered the shower. I was impressed and grateful for all of her hard work. Everyone raved about the food, not only was it pretty, but delicious too.

The "boys" came later and joined in fun conversation and laughter. They also helped us clean up. It actually went pretty quickly, as everyone chipped in. 

Goodie bags for all. 

And the happy couple here. 

Eric, your father and I couldn't be any happier with the woman that God placed in your life. I so admire the respect you and Alice have for one another and the way you both smiled when you shared your love story with everyone. There's no doubt in our minds God orchestrated it!

We love you both and wish you a lifetime full of love, faith, respect, good health, laughter and Jenga (and maybe a few grandchildren a little later on!)

Counting our blessings, 

Mary Beth Roe