Seriously, What’s a sixpence and why is it in my shoe?
All brides know the saying:
Something old, something new
Something borrowed,something blue
But did you know the last line is ….
And a silver sixpence in her shoe!
Once again, if I ever knew that line, my memory has failed me and I have no recollection. Now, like most brides, I followed ChaCha tradition and did what I was told and had something from every category. At the time, fifteen years ago, it seemed of the utmost importance and I am sure I agonized over it for weeks. Now, I can barely recall what they were, except that my garter was University of Florida Gator blue!
I don’t even know if knew why I was wearing something from each category, except for the fact that this was just bridal protocol. I didn’t question it or disobey, I just was the dutiful bride checking things off my to-do list!
Each item in this poem represents a good-luck token for the bride. If she carries all of them on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy. "Something old" symbolizes continuity with the bride's family and the past. "Something new" means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead. "Something borrowed" is usually an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. The borrowed item also reminds the bride that she can depend on her friends and family.
As for the ChaCha colorful item, blue has been connected to weddings for centuries. In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity. Christianity has long dressed the Virgin Mary in blue, so purity was associated with the color. Before the late 19th century, blue was a popular color for wedding gowns, as evidenced in proverbs like, "Marry in blue, lover be true." Personally, I like this one by an unknown author: “When you meet someone who can cook and do housework – don’t hesitate a minute, marry HIM!” I like that ChaCha way of thinking, and, lucky for me, my husband does both well!
And finally, a silver sixpence in the bride's shoe represents wealth and financial security. Minted in Britain from 1551 to 1967, it was made of silver and worth six pennies. It may date back to the custom of a groom putting a silver coin under his foot for good luck. For optimum fortune, the sixpence should be in the left shoe. These days, a dime or a copper penny is sometimes substituted, and many companies sell keepsake sixpences for wedding.
ChaCha Bella is proud to announce their collection of blue rings, the perfect something new and blue all in one purchase. Included with each ring is this special keepsake poem:
ChaCha Bella Brides all need something Sparkly and Blue,
Wear this ring on your right hand when you say, "I Do"
You're fabulous and fun, you're one of a kind--
Celebrate your day in a ChaCha State of Mind

Let me know something creative you used for your “something blue” and you will be entered in our ring giveaway contest. Contact me at S@chachabella.com.

If you want to show me you love me, buy me flowers on any day except Valentine’s Day – buy them for me on a random Tuesday. I don’t want you to overspend on wilted

roses for a Hallmark holiday. But don’t even think about walking through that door without a box of chocolate and a bottle of red wine; I still need to know that you love me and honor this stupid cherished day. Also, I want to have something to brag about to my friends, besides the lacy doily heart my daughter cut out for me. Women are ChaCha complicated, and this is one more holiday that proves it!

After doing some research, I wanted to ChaCha enlighten you about some Valentine’s Day facts. Did you know that only the U.S., Canada, Mexico, France, Australia and the U.K. celebrate this holiday? I find it most interesting that Italy isn’t on the list since Cupid, the son of Venus – the Roman god of love and beauty – often appears on Valentine cards holding a bow and arrow. He is believed to use magical arrows to inspire feelings of love. In fact, about one billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year. That's the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas. Hallmark has over 1,330 different cards for Valentine’s Day – now that’s ChaCha crazy!

If you didn’t know, Valentine was a real man. In February 14, 270 A.D. the Roman Emperor Claudius II, dubbed "Claudius the Cruel," beheaded a Catholic bishop named Valentine for performing marriage ceremonies. Claudius II had outlawed marriages when Roman men began refusing to go to war in order to stay with

their wives. While waiting in jail for his untimely death, Valentine began exchanging letters with the jailer’s daughter and fell in love with her. The day he was to be beheaded, he wrote her one last note and signed it: ‘From Your Valentine’ Now, he is ChaCha celebrated every year.

The most fantastic gift of love is the Taj Mahal in India. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife, who died in childbirth. Work on the Taj began in 1634 and continued for almost 22 years requiring the labor of 20,000 workers from all over India and Central Asia. We say take ChaCha control and ask your husband to order you a ring from us. This way, you will get what you want for the holidays and he is off the hook in trying to please you! We have a wide variety of colors, including the signature color of the holiday – RED! The best news is you won’t have to wait 22 years, just five to seven days. On this day, surprise a mom, girlfriend, or anyone who needs a little loving with a ring. It will last way longer than flowers and candy, plus the sparkle will brighten your loved one up every day!

Send me your stories about a sweet or super romantic experience; I love it when expectations are exceeded, and we can reward you for having an amazing ChaCha partner! If your day was a disaster though, share it with me too, so we can ChaCha cheer you up with a free ring. Contact Suzanne at s@chachabella.com and one winner will be chosen per each category.