Breaking Bows.

Traditions. Sometimes traditions are fun. Sometimes they're just plain weird. When I was planning my wedding, I was pretty anti-traditions. Of course I wanted a pretty dress and a beautiful bouquet because it would make me look stunning, clearly. As far as the bouquet/garter toss, first dance, or making a big deal out of slicing a cake, no thank you. Have you ever researched the traditions behind a wedding? Why we do the things we think we have to do? If you haven't read up on these traditions, you should. Some are pretty entertaining while some are a little morbid. I like to always know the why behind things.

Even the bridal shower has a weird tradition/superstition. When the bride opens a gift and she happens to break a bow or ribbon, it is said this equals a baby she will have. You either hear, "Break those ribbons!" or "Be careful not to break too many!". This is usually followed by roars of laughter and other little comments about a baby. Um. Can we focus on getting married first? Don't you love how life is on a "timeline" and everyone wants to rush things right along for you?

When these comments happened to me at my bridal showers, I really didn't think much of it. I broke a few to oblige my mom. Breaking a bow or two always seems to be a crowd pleaser for the older generations. I hadn't thought about this odd superstition since my wedding showers until I was sitting at a wedding shower for my brother and his fiancé this weekend. As I was writing down the list of gifts they received, I started hearing rumblings from the crowd of wanting them to break bows. This time, it hit me differently. I was suddenly thankful I had a job to do. It was good to keep my hands and mind busy. A lady sitting beside me mentioned the bow-breaking many, many times so I heard it over and over during the opening of gifts. I couldn't help but to feel sad as she yelled across the room to my mom saying she probably hoped they would break some bows so she could be a grandmother. I wasn't mad at the lady. She was just doing what many do at bridal showers. She probably doesn't know my current circumstances. Plus, I'm just in a sensitive place and it's not her fault that a tradition that has gone on for ages happens to make me feel sad. But it did. Especially since I had just discovered that morning that I had another unsuccessful month with yet another failed cycle. I didn't want to hear comments about bows being broken and having lots of future babies. Although I want nothing more than for them to be blessed with one or many babies one day if that is their hearts desire. But I also want a turn. I broke bows too, dang it! While sitting at the shower, at one moment, I wanted to cry because I felt sorry for myself for a brief moment. In the next moment, I was angry and wanted to snap and yell out, "I had no idea that's all it takes! Hand me a present so I can break a bow"!

Break a bow. Tear a ribbon. If only having a baby could be that simple...