The Baby Shower I Wasn’t Invited To

A few days ago, I received a sweet text thanking me for a Christmas card. It was thoughtful, kind, and exactly the sort of message that makes sending cards feel worth the effort.

Then, at the very end, she added something casual:
“See you at the baby shower tomorrow.”

Except… I had no idea what baby shower she was talking about.
No invite. No mention. No clue who was even having a baby.

I sat with that text longer than I’d like to admit, mentally scrolling through the possibilities. Was the invitation lost? Was it sent and buried somewhere between grocery lists and school emails? Or was I simply not invited at all?

I wasn’t upset—just mildly curious, in that socially awkward pause kind of way. We aren’t particularly close, but we do run in the same circles. Our husbands used to work together. We end up at many of the same events. Close enough to recognize each other… not close enough to ask outright.

So I replied the safest way I knew how:
“I must have missed the invitation, and Iyan and I already have tickets to the Orchestra tomorrow.”

And that was it.

She never responded. I know she read it—those little read notifications don’t lie—but the conversation quietly ended there.

And honestly? That was okay.

If this had been someone I was close to—someone whose milestones I shared regularly—I would have felt hurt. But this wasn’t that. This was just one of those moments that reminds you there are layers to relationships. Inner circles. Outer circles. And people who float somewhere in between.

I know I’ll see her again. I won’t bring up the baby shower. There’s no need. Not every social moment requires resolution, and not every invitation—or lack of one—needs to carry meaning.

Sometimes, it’s just a text that lands a little sideways.

And we move on.

---

Your turn

Social moments can be weird, right? If you’ve ever found yourself in a polite-but-awkward situation like this, you’re among friends here. If you’re willing to share, I’d love to hear yours.

With love & glitter,
Valerie ✨