My wedding is only two months away, and it's all starting to feel so real, for two reasons: We sent out invitations and had our first bridal shower! It took place in Dayton and was hosted by my future in-laws and some of their close friends. I've never been to a bridal shower before my own—that's something most gals probably can't say. I have a couple of baby showers under my belt, but I didn't know what to expect for a bridal shower. I pictured a group of ladies in sundresses, eating appetizers, unwrapping lingerie and enjoying one another's company. In many ways, the bridal shower we actually had was very different. The most noticeable difference: The presence of testosterone, since couples were invited (this is also referred to as a Jack and Jill shower).

The men and women mingled together, and it was fun to see all of the surprises my fiancé Corey's parents had planned for us. We had a sit-down lunch (including the most delicious salmon ever), rather than snacking throughout, which I really enjoyed. My parents came from Indianapolis and were happy to use that time to get to know some of Corey's relatives and friends better. Another surprise: Our shower had a vintage/historic theme, so the planners arranged to have a guest's wedding dress displayed on a mannequin! The fake eyelashes were a little creepy, but I enjoyed seeing this unique heirloom. Another guest wore the shoes from her wedding day, while others brought in their wedding albums for everyone to browse while we opened gifts.