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A Shower with Friends

Not that kind of a shower! Jeez. A different kind of shower all together, a baby shower. On Saturday, February 8, 2025, Rachel’s friends, Angeline and Josh, were celebrated with a baby shower for the upcoming birth of their first baby boy at 7 Seas Brewing. Even with a due date of March 22nd, Angeline was looking fantastic, as always.

Heading up the planning committee for the shower were friends, Bill and Alanna, who served as the two other legs of the planning tripod with Rachel. The three held clandestine meetings to put their plan into motion. Okay, sure, maybe clandestine isn’t quite accurate, but it sounds more exciting, right?

Pictured Below Top to Bottom: The planning committee with the guests of honor, Bill pictured with the balloon decor, Angeline with Alanna and Josh and Angeline with Rachel.

Rachel first met Angeline at the gym. Angeline was always eating sugary snacks before class; Rice Kristy Treats were her treat of choice most days. This fascinated Rachel for some reason. As Rachel got to know Angeline, she just loved to spend time with her. Angeline is a fascinating person, not to mention funny and thoughtful. Rachel first met Josh when Angeline brought him to the gym to try out a class. Since then, they’ve spent plenty of time together doing different things like hiking, fun runs, attempting to paint, holiday celebrations, and more.

Wait, did that say “brewing” like a bar for a baby shower in the intro?

Yep. It would be a small group but big fun. Where? 7 Seas Brewing in downtown Tacoma. Why a bar for a baby shower? Don’t worry, it’s a family friendly, open space with a coffee shop, canteen and taproom. The parking isn’t ideal, but everyone managed. There was even a group of gals celebrating what appeared to be a Galentine’s Day party; all dressed as toys, from Beanie Babies to Strawberry Shortcake. Their table was set up as a colorful tea date. Ideas are now brewing in Rachel’s brain.

Who was there?

This cutie, Natalie, who Rachel got to snuggle. Natalie snuggles are the best.

The guest list was primarily gym friends from Orangetheory Fitness (OTF). The youngest guest was the adorable Natalie (pictured above) accompanied by her mom and dad, Gracie and Shawn, Noelle brought her husband, Darren, who everyone met for the first time, and Alanna (not an OTFer) got to meet all of the friends from the gym. Rachna was there and Rachel was so excited to see her again. Rachna moved from Tacoma to Gig Harbor, which is only a short drive across the Narrows Bridge but means Rachna frequents the Gig Habor OTF now. Jennie, Stephen and Bill rounded out the group, which was the perfect fit for the table they were able to procure.

Pictured Above Clockwise: Shawn, Natalie, Gracie, Rachna, Jennie, Stephen, Darren, Noelle, Alanna, Angeline, Josh and Bill.

A few games had been planned to include the toilet paper game, the telephone game and baby bingo. Aside from the toilet paper game, the others had a bit of a twist. For anyone that isn’t familiar with the toilet paper game, everybody in attendance tries to guess how many squares of toilet paper it would take to wrap around the expecting mother, who would go last as to not give away the answer prematurely. It was a good laugh to watch everyone roll themselves up in toilet paper to get their guess locked in. In the end, it took ten squares and Rachna was the winner. Great use of toilet paper for sure.

Next up was an oldie but goodie, the telephone game (with a twist). Alanna had come up with the telephone game to go not in one direction but two. Rachel had never heard of this before and wasn’t sure how it would play out. The message that would be passed around would be decided by Josh and Angeline. They would then pass it in different directions (yes, it would end up hitting someone from both sides, that ought to be fun).

Rachel was the lucky one that was right in the middle. She did her best and aside from one word being mixed up, the message made it back. This game provided plenty of laughs. What was the message? Something like, “To many great days ahead and even more years,” or maybe, “To many great days ahead and many more years.” Either way, great message.

Baby Bingo, anyone?

This one was a quick game, Rachel should have made it much more intensive. Baby Bingo with a twist. She just loves to create. For this bingo game, only Josh and Angeline would have bingo cards. Zoom in for the rules. Rachel tried to make it as fun as possible and the rules sure did just that. Josh attempted to cheat right off the bat, but Rachel caught him. Angeline quickly took the lead and won. That’s because she didn’t cheat, JOSH! KARMA, JOSH! (Insert wink and laugh here).

What baby shower would be complete without a sweet treat?

With the location of the gathering having a variety of food and drink options available for purchase, the planning committee decided that they would only supply a sweet treat. Alanna came through with the most delicious individually wrapped cookies/bars. While most enjoyed one at the party, Rachel took one home to enjoy as her Sunday, Super Bowl treat. Mostly because prefers to eat junk food in private, as she has some interesting eating habits when it comes to sweets. Yes, she realizes this is odd, but sadly she feels judged when eating sweets in public (past trauma) and enjoys her privacy to indulge with no judgement. The struggle is real, people.

Pictured Above Lt to Rt: Josh shows his cookie with a sweet message for Angeline and Rachel with her wonderfully decorated cookie that she would enjoy immensely the next day.

Angeline opened gifts and received several adorable items, and some very useful items such as a baby nail file tool. What? They didn’t have these when Rachel had babies! Diapers, clothes, blankets, toys, bath items and books; each and every gift thoughtful and useful.

One other thing that Rachel nearly forgot to share were the bear cards. Rachel had found fun prediction and advise cards for everyone to fill out and send home with the to-be parents. She hopes Angeline and Josh enjoy reading the predictions and advice from their friends and hope they get something useful from them, too.

Josh and Angeline can’t wait to meet this baby, and they aren’t alone. Baby boys are a treat, and Rachel can’t wait to meet him either. She hopes they take her up on the offer to help in any way possible. Until next time, be well.

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