Happy Anniversary, William + Kate!

A year ago, it seems the entire planet was captivated by the royal wedding of the late Princess Diana's eldest son, William, and Catherine Middleton.  I confess, I got caught up in the fervor and was thrilled to have an invitation to a "royal wedding reception" that Friday evening to celebrate their nuptials.  The ladies were asked to come in semi-formal dress with headgear; I spent that afternoon at the hairdresser, primping and fluffing and having the handmade purple silk fascinator I'd purchased specifically for the occasion fitted amongst my curls.

The gala was hosted by "Margie, Queen of Stewarts" -- my sister's very British mother-in-law -- and it was a celebration, indeed.  Margie outdid herself!  She'd asked her sisters in England to send banners and flags bearing the smiling faces of the royal couple, which festooned her home.  Tents and heaters were installed outside to accommodate everyone on the eclectic guest list.  A tape of the entire event -- from guest arrivals to the wedding ceremony to the official "first kiss" on the Palace balcony -- was replayed on televisions upstairs and downstairs.  She served a delicious recreation of the wedding cake plus authentic British fare.

Best of all, the party guests were as delighted as I to be part of the celebration.  The festive spirit was infectious!  The love and emotion of the moment could not be denied.  Everyone was pulling for the royal couple to "live happily ever after."  We ate, drank, clapped and toasted -- and for a few brief hours, our own problems faded into the background as we shared William and Kate's hope and joy.

Today, I've poured a glass of wine and turned on the "telly" to watch the anniversary specials.  It's a pleasure to browse through my scrapbook of Margie's stateside royal wedding reception and savor the sweet memories of that day.  I'm a hopeless romantic, and I wish William and Kate the best of everything.  I believe in fairy tales...for if it can work out for them, perhaps it can work for the rest of us, too.