Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says "Oh shit, she's awake."
Showing posts with label wedding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wedding. Show all posts

Friday, April 29, 2011

God Save the Queen...

Yes, I really do still believe in the fairy tale. I was up at 5am, watching, with great anticipation, the royal wedding. I called my mother at 6am, fearful that she will still asleep and I would wake her...never a good thing to do, because it usually involves a bit of cursing on her part. But she was up, watching as well. It made me smile since I can still remember her and myself rising at an ungodly hour thirty years ago to witness Diana’s marriage to Charles. Nice to see some things never change. I woke Tricia early, and we turned on every TV in the house so we could get ready for the day and not miss a thing. We chattered about it all - William’s uniform, Kate’s dress and tiara, every outfit worn by every member of the royal family as they arrived. By the way, someone needs to have a “chat” with Beatrice and Eugenie about their wardrobe selections. What was Beatrice thinking when she chose that extraordinarily ugly hood ornament of a hat??? I damn near fell off my seat when I saw it. No matter she was wearing Jimmy Choo shoes – believe me, no one would ever see them because I am pretty sure they would never be able to take their eyes of that hat. Oh well, it’s her moment to live with for the rest of her life, although one would hope she removed that travesty before any family photos were taken.

I’ve been listening to people bitch, moan and complain for the past month about the money being spent on this wedding. For the record, I heard it said on NBC that the royal family paid for the entire wedding, and the only expense being paid for by the British government was security. I think that’s reasonable. Yes, there are children starving in Africa, and yes, times are tough for all us working stiffs. Gas prices are ridiculous and I’m tired of paying a healthy portion of my paycheck on necessities. But honestly, who doesn’t love the fairy tale? It was magical, captivating, and above all, a happy occasion. In a world full of nothing but natural disasters of biblican proportions, political infighting, war, killing, violence, poverty and unhappiness, it was such a wonderful escape for a few hours. It brought us all together in celebration of something that is good - the love of two people who want to commit their lives to each other. I can believe in that. If you cannot find the purity in that, then really, you’re missing so much.

What is the lesson in all of this? Well, I’m sure it means different things to different people, and to some, it really means nothing at all. To each their own. For me, it instills the belief that anything is possible. Here was a girl, of common middle class background, who grew up, went to college, and met “Prince Charming”. It’s not about him being a prince really. It is about her meeting her prince. Three years ago, I met my prince, and two weeks ago we wed. It was our moment, our fairy tale, our beginning to a life together. Not so different from Kate and William, although I did notice she, unlike me, did not arrive at her wedding in the back seat of a police car, complete with flashing lights and siren. Personally, I think my entrance was much more of a statement. I just didn’t have as many people watching.

I think about Kate’s mother, and what she must have been feeling today. Did she ever once think that her little girl would someday be marrying the future King of England? I’m guessing not, but to Carol Middleton, I am sure Kate was already a princess, just as my daughter will always be my princess. I wish wonderful things for my Tricia, but most of all I wish her happiness, and peace in herself and her choices as she maneuvers her way through life. And I hope that someday, she has that same lovestruck expression on her face, as Kate did. It was truly beautiful, and she really did sparkle from the inside out. Everyone should have someone they love unconditionally.

Maybe it’s just me still being love drunk on my own wedding of two weeks ago, but I’m literally walking on clouds after watching the royal wedding this morning. It made me believe that fairy tales really do come true.

Wishing you both, Wills and Kate, every happiness that life has to offer, and the strength to support each other in the difficult times. Many blessings to you both…Cheers!

And God save the Queen. Love, an American Anglo-phine.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Third time is the charm...

Somewhere between Walmart and the office on my way to work this morning, it hit me...I’m getting married...again...

Everyone keeps asking me “How do you know Bill is ‘the one’?” “Why are you going through this again?” “Are you crazy?” As a matter of fact, yes, I am, but that is another matter entirely. The more important question would be "Is Bill crazy???" The questions make me giggle, but I can see why people would think that maybe I have lost my mind. My track record is not stellar when it comes to the bonds of matrimony. But as I have often said, I cannot allow myself to have any regrets, because every decision I have made in my life has led me to this very spot, this exact moment. I have become the person I am because of the choices I have made, and by and large, I am incredibly happy with who I am. There is always room for improvement, but still, as a package...not bad. Bill, on the other hand...well, I am truly the lucky one. Other than my father, I have never met a man as solid and as pure of heart as Bill. There is no doubt he is the kindest, humblest, most ethical man I have ever known. He is honest to a fault, and loyal to his friends and family always. He also loves my daughter like his own, and for that I am so very thankful. He is handsome, and sexy, and very very young at heart. Indeed, he still "gives me butterflies."

It was easy to realize that marrying Bill is absolutely the right thing to do. How can I be so sure? It’s simple...he is the only man I have ever, in my entire life, pictured myself growing old with. As someone who can barely deal with a new wrinkle on her face (vanity runs deep through these veins) the thought of getting older has not exactly been a pleasant point to ponder, until I met Bill. Maybe life is all in the timing, but we seem to have met at a very important crossroad in our lives. We were both closing chapters on less than perfect relationships, and we were both looking for someone whose company we could enjoy - a happy, simple and uncomplicated pairing. Of course, as any man would tell you, if there is a woman in the mix, it is rarely uncomplicated. But while far from perfect, I have overcome a lot of those "womanly charms" that drive men batty. To me, jealousy is wasted energy, so I do not indulge those thoughts on any level. I am secure in who I am, and what I bring to the table. If my partner cannot see that, then he is not the person for me. Bill appreciates the fact that I don’t mind if he glances at an attractive woman, or that I don’t take offense if a member of the opposite sex approaches him in conversation - on the contrary, I like that other women find him appealing. Honestly, I have always felt that I know who I came with, and I know who I am leaving with, so to treat the situation differently would indicate a lack of trust in Bill, and I trust Bill implicitly. I also have learned in my forty-six years that I enjoy the silence, so I never feel the need to bombard Bill with non-stop chatter. We are both good with sitting quietly, knowing that just being together is sometimes enough. We work well together, almost always happily synchronized with each other, We laugh at each other’s jokes and finish each other’s sentences. I am happy to give Bill the space he needs to do the things he loves, and he is always willing to allow me the same courtesy. We share a world of interests, but we also have those things that are ours alone. It’s ok to be separate, something else I have learned. What makes us different also helps to keeps us interesting and just a bit mysterious to our mate, and as a woman, there is nothing I like more than being just a bit mysterious.

We have learned much about each other and ourselves as a couple in three years. I cannot remember what my life was like before I met Bill, and I cannot imagine one moment of my life without him. He is my rock. He keeps me centered and grounded, and he makes me very very happy. In this day and age, it is so rare to find that one person who captures your heart completely. Bill carries my heart around in his back pocket. He knows that, and is always careful not to break such a precious possession.

So yes, I am excited about marrying my Bill. This is a good thing, for us, for our children, and for our future. I am excited about the possibilities, and I look forward to a lifetime of laughter, truly blessed moments, and sometimes tears too. I want to share it all with him. And someday, far far down the road, I hope I am the one to look into his eyes and take my last breath, because I never want to wake up and have him not be next to me. This is real, folks. But as they say, Better late than never.

And no, I’m not wearing white - ivory is a more appropriate choice. But I really do believe that the third time is the charm.