Do You Believe in Fairy Tales?

Things That Went Right Today:

1) Signed up for the "Flylady" program again.
2) We were under tornado watch yesterday, but no tornadoes hit our house.
3) Tamed the tornado that appears to have hit the kitchen. Sink shining again.

Did you get up early to watch the Royal Wedding? My daughters did, but I overslept and had to watch clips of it after the fact. Still loved it though. What is it about this wedding that has captivated me so? I don't personally know these two young people. I am not from England, so they aren't directly my monarchs. Nothing about it will affect my life much at all really. So why then did I feel myself getting choked up as I watched them exchange their vows? Why did I feel so blissfully happy as I saw them take their carriage ride through the streets of London to the cheers of the adoring crowds?

I suppose it's because I am a hopeless romantic. Like many young girls, I grew up dreaming about one day meeting my handsome prince and moving into a castle and living happily ever after. I especially loved stories like Snow White and Cinderella where the young lady transforms from ordinary girl to princess because of the kindness of her heart. Because someone could see through her rough exterior to love the beauty deep inside of her. I even named my dog Cinderella (although we called her Cindy for short). I sang the songs and dreamed of fancy dresses that twirl. And true love.

Then I grew up like we all must do, and realized that there is kind of a shortage of actual princes out there.  And that palaces and tiaras aren't really what matters most in this life. I got busy with raising kids and paying mortgages. Cleaning bathrooms and hanging out with family doing nothing special. Just being together. Doing all the mundane ordinary things that add up to a wonderful life. A real life with real people, and real problems and real love. Laughing with my kids. Good friends to share my thoughts with. I'm not famous. Crowds don't gather just to see me walk by. But I am thankful today for this life I have built, and to be surrounded with people I love. To have the great privilege of pursuing my dreams as I understand them today. Richer and fuller than the wistful yearnings of my youth.

But the royal wedding, just for a few minutes, brought out that tiny little part of my heart that still longs to be a princess. For a moment I felt like a little girl again. It made my spirit soar to see a fairy tale come true before my eyes. Best wishes to the prince and his bride as they begin their new life together as man and wife.  They both seem to be beautiful people, on the inside as well as on the outside. They are a wonderful reminder to each of us to appreciate all the simple joys our lives have brought to us. To revel in the abundant blessings of day to day regular living - but to never stop believing in fairy tales. To always maintain that childlike sense of wonder and possibility. Three cheers to Will and Kate!!