May every girl find her prince

*Note: This blog was written on April 29, but I'm just getting it posted.

Just as I did thirty years ago, I got up early today to watch the royal wedding. That year I was eight-years-old. I was in awe of all the tradition, the crowds, the dress, the whole fairy tale.

In 1981, I got up about 4 a.m. This time I woke up at 5 a.m. as my husband’s alarm went off to wake him for work. It was perfect timing. I tuned in just to see the bride arriving at the church. It was a bit different than watching the royal wedding of Prince Charles to Diana Spencer in 1981. Looking back, they looked so nervous and unsure. This time, the couple looked so at ease, so confident, so comfortable, so in love. I guess that may be in part because Diana was so young. I know that when I married, just before I turned 19, I was nervous and just so immature and more into the party that would take place afterwards than the meaning of the vows and the seriousness of the ceremony. However, I did marry my prince who I grow to love more every day. It’s been almost 20 years since I walked down the aisle and I still get giddy when we’re together.

As I watched the royal wedding, I thought the bride was stunning. I wasn’t so much into the fashion and the celebrities in attendance. The moment that really got me was when William first glanced at his bride and told her she looked beautiful. It made me melt. Every girl should have a groom that looks at her that way. Even without all the pomp and circumstanceand all the riches that go along with his status, that was a moment that defined him as a fairy-tale “prince.” It’s the way my guy looked at me on our wedding day and still does – wrinkles, gray hairs, c-section scar, extra pounds, stretch marks and all.

A tear-filled day (but in a good way)

*Note: This was written on Thurs. April 28 -- just posting it a bit late.

Well, today was an emotional day. I admit I’m quite sappy and it often doesn’t take much for me to reach for Kleenex. I began the day at a wedding of a couple I had never met, but weddings always make me weepy. I was covering a “royal wedding” that was part of a WGN contest for a local paper. It’s been a few weeks in the making. Chicago’s WGN Channel 9 sponsored a contest in the weeks leading up to the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Viewers picked a winning couple and then got to vote on all the details – the rings, dress, menu, flowers, table settings, honeymoon locale. So, I went out to Meyer’s Castle, a mansion in Dyer that was designed to resemble a Scottish castle, for the event. The site is a wedding venue, restaurant and upscale nightclub.

I talked to the bride before the wedding, which was kind of neat. Even at weddings I attend where I know the couple, rarely have I been in the room with the bride before she walks down the aisle. It was quite fun.

The wedding ceremony was aired on live television. After asking a producer where I could stand to be out of the way, he asked me to fill in an empty seat. So, I was able to enjoy the wedding from the same vantage point as the guests. As soon as the bride began to tear up during the vows, I did the same.

I came home and wrote my article to get in for deadline. Then it was getting to work on last minute details for a dinner I was coordinating with friends in the Junior Woman’s Club. The dinner was to honor our local vets and it was so touching to see so many heroes there with their spouse or guest. Many were World War II veterans. Our speaker was the brother of a local Marine who died while serving in Iraq five years ago. After he was done talking, his father also said a few words. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the place, myself included. I felt so proud of our club at the end of night for doing something to bring such an exceptional group together and to show our appreciation for them and all they have sacrificed.

My buddies from the Lansing Jr. Woman's Club.

The Band of Brothers Pipes & Drums were there!

Some of our distinguished guests. This couple met while serving during World War II. Aren't they adorable?

Some more of our guests enjoying the dinner.

The Honor Guard presented colors.