Have you ever heard of a Charm Cake?
Neither had I.
Until I attended a Bridal Brunch last month.
A Charm Cake is a New Orleans tradition, where bridal luncheon attendees pull ribbons from the base of the cake to reveal a hidden charm. Each charm has a different meaning, that is thought to symbolize the recipient’s future fortune.
They look like this:
After brunch, each guest chose a ribbon to discover what her future might hold.
The first few pulls were so sweet. The meaning of each was announced to the group:
An Angel – Someone is always watching over and protecting you.
A Flower – Your happiness will continue to grow and bloom.
A Palm Tree – a future filled with relaxation and tropical getaways awaits.
A Dragonfly – you will navigate life’s changes with ease, grace and a light heart.
Then just before the Mother of the Bride chose her charm, I chose mine.
She pulled a Fleur de lis which means she is destined for a life of grace, royalty and luxury. So fitting for her. And a life she definitely deserves!
You want to know which charm I pulled?
A circle with the words, “Never Ever Give Up” on it.
It means my inner strength will lead me to victory.
SERIOUSLY? I have to keep going no matter how hard things get? That’s my charmed future?
No one’s watching over me or protecting me? I won’t have happiness that continues to grow and bloom? I’m not going to navigate life’s changes with ease, grace and a light heart?
I just have to hang in there and NEVER EVER GIVE UP?
Not exactly the message I wanted to hear.
I was secretly hoping for a Palm Tree.
Had there been more charms in the cake I might have shoved mine back in to try for that one. But I had already licked the icing off of it so I guess I had to keep it.
The other day I heard a song I had never heard before. Guess what it’s called?
Never, Ever Give Up.
It’s no coincidence. It made me think of all of you raising a child with a disability or caring for an aging parent or living in survival mode.
I hereby share my charm and this song with you.
Not because I don’t wish you peace or tropical getaways or happiness that continues to bloom.
But because you were chosen for this life and with that calling comes the strength not simply to endure but to thrive! Be encouraged and inspired!
And…
A quick add-on to my Charm Cake story
I realized the YouTube song at the end of my last post might not have appeared for those reading on their phones.
Here’s the video that completes the story:
🎵 Never Ever Give Up –
https://youtu.be/0q6zhbIMOQo?si=n2oqwNkmdB3AzPj3
Thank you for reading, and I hope it encourages you as much as it did me!
Never heard of a charm cake, and have never heard that song! Both are great… I may start playing Never Ever Give Up in the mornings as a hype song!
LuAnn will have to bring a charm cake on the next PWA girl’s getaway! Though I will forewarn her to only put ‘encouraging’ charms in that one! HA! Never Ever Give Up is the perfect morning hype song! It’s got a great beat and definitely inspires!
Love this! So well written. You should write a book!
Thanks Pam! If only I had pulled a pen charm – destined to write a book! lol
Love this, Sandy. You always share something to lift me up. Thank you!
Also, I’m giving 2 bridal showers soon and I think this would be so fun.
Thank you Jacquelyn! You have been a source of inspiration to me for many years! So grateful for you! Oh, you should definitely do a Charm Cake. Having the meaning of each charm read aloud as it is pulled adds so much fun to the event. Maybe omit the “NEVER GIVE UP” charm! : o )
Wow. God speaks through even cakes, it seems. Pretty cool, friend! Xoxo
Thanks Kim! Let’s get together soon. I’ll bring a charm cake and load it with all the BEST, most uplifting, inspirational options and we will choose them all! ;o )
Oh my gosh, Sandy!!! What a great song! Thank you!!!
So great right? Just the perfect pick-me-up song for those days when life comes at you hard!!