Madeline Gaudreau said she was brought to instant tears Saturday at a baby shower honoring her and late husband Matthew Gaurdreau ahead of the birth of their baby boy.
Calling the gathering the “baby shower of my dreams,” Gaudreau posted a series of snaps to Instagram from the soiree, which was themed “Heaven Sent.”
The joyous affair took place weeks after Matthew and his older brother, Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau, were tragically killed by a suspected drunk driver while cycling in Salem County, N.J., in late August, on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding.
Matthew was 29 years old and Johnny, an 11-year NHL veteran, was 31.
Gaudreau went on to thank Lexi Scaffidi, an event planner for the shower, whose designs paid tribute to Matthew, a former hockey standout at Boston College.
“The way you were able to tie in my husband brought instant tears when I walked in, “Gaudreau posted. “All my friends and family, nothing will bring his dad back or uncle john, but I am glad he has so many amazing people around him to remind him how amazing they were 💙.”
She added how her husband would have loved the balloons, which featured smiling clouds on a display with the message, “A Little Piece of Heaven.”
Other blue balloons and cookies featured their son-to-be’s name, “Baby Tripp.”
A blue and white sign, which welcomed guests to the event, read, “Welcome To Our Baby Shower/ Matty & Madeline.”
Gaudreau reposted a snapshot from Katie, who wrote, “Felt the love from your Daddy and Uncle John today. We love you Tripp Matthew.”
Scaffidi revealed that Baby Tripp’s middle name will be in honor of his late father.
Gaudreau, who announced in June that they were expecting their first child together, is due in December.
Her post included a photo with her sister-in-law, Meredith Gaudreau, who announced at the brothers’ memorial service that she is pregnant with her and Johnny’s third child.
Meredith and Johnny have a 2-year-old daughter, Noa Harper, and a son, Johnny Edward, born Feb. 22.
Johnny’s Blue Jackets teammates celebrated Noa’s second birthday on Sept. 30, as seen in photos Meredith shared on Instagram at the time.
The Blue Jackets, as well as the NHL and its teams, have continued to honor the Gaudreau brothers after their tragic deaths.
Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, N.J., who is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, was arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.
Higgins has a history of road rage and reckless driving, according to First Assistant Prosecutor Jonathan Flynn of Salem County.