Proud/Happy/Relieved for us all

I have to say that YES I am one of those Americans who are so happy, relieved, and proud right now.

So proud.
Proud of our TROOPS for everything.
Proud of our FAMILIES who have sacrificed over this.
Proud of our PRESIDENT, for continuing the search if nothing else.
Proud of the NAMELESS & FACELESS who were the integral forces in bringing him down.

So relieved.
Which is not to say I think it's over. I don't think that anyone thinks it's over.
But Bin Laden has hung over our heads as the metaphorical "Terrorist". As if he were the only one. The head of it all.
We know that this is not the case. By far.
But to have him GONE?
It feels like a huge weight has been lifted.
That a fear has been diminished; though not demolished.

So happy.
Happy to have something to be happy about.
Happy to have one less "bad guy" in the world.
Happy to feel as though we accomplished something.
Happy for all those who devoted so much time, energy, and life to this.
And Happy for all those who are out there celebrating right now. I hope they're celebrating hard.

And a pride swells in my chest when I think of the troops at this moment.
Because, for me at least, it feels like we're one step closer to being done.
To ending this war.
To bringing our men and women home to their families and children.
Maybe a small step? But it feels like a step none-the-less.

And I would love it, if for just a few hours, people everywhere could feel content about this.
I know it won't happen.
The backlash has already started.
With "inside stories", and warnings of "don't believe everything you hear", and people condemning all sorts of people involved for taking "too much credit" or for taking any credit at all.
There will, unfortunately, always be naysayers. But I hope that the majority of us can enjoy this moment. If only for a moment. If only before you decide to not "believe everything you hear".
I know personally, when my mother called and told me I was SO excited.
September 11th happened when I was in 7th grade. And now I have my own daughter, and we've finally got HIM.
It doesn't solve the problem, or fill any voids. But it still feels like a victory to me.
I'm still enjoying this moment.And I hope that you are too.

Jessica at J.LiLy

The Royal Wedding

I'll be honest, I have never understood the allure of celebrity weddings. I mean really, I don't know these people! And more often than not, that marriage is going to end in under a year. So I just can't see trying to get excited over something that I have no personal connection too. And I guess I just assumed that Kate and William's would just affect me the same.

Of course, the Royal Family are not celebrities. They aren't famous for something like entertainment. They are famous because of how well loved they are. By the British, and the rest of the world.

Now I'm asking myself why it is that a wedding between two people on the other side of the world is so exciting for me?

I'm still not sure as to why, but I'm going to just roll with it for now!

For those of you who didn't stay up to watch the nuptials or view them online, here are some details:

First of all, before the ceremony, Queen Elizabeth II gave both Prince William, and Princess to-be Kate each a total of 3 new titles. They are:

Prince William the:                       Princess Katherine the:

Duke of Cambridge                      Duchess of Cambridge

Earl of Strathearn                        Countess of Strathearn

Baron Carrickfergus                     Baroness Carrickfergus

The ceremony took place in the Westminster Abbey in front of 1,900 guests. After which they rode in an open carriage waving to their cheering subjects with smiles of adoration.

But nothing about the ceremony has been as blogged or tweeted about as the kiss. I've got to admit, that one baffles me. Why are people so excited about this? Are they surprised? Because that seems odd...doesn't everyone kiss their spouse? Especially on their wedding day? So I'm going to leave you all to fill me in there. Let me know why that is just SO exciting for everyone.

To be honest my favorite part of the whole thing was simply Princess Kate's dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen (her sister also wore a dress by McQueen). It was so simple and subtle, but beautiful and elegant. It was modest, but not old fashioned. And I think it played off her mix of youth and grace very well.

Not that Prince William wasn't looking dapper, which he definitely was. He's a very handsome man after all!

I am not one of the people who would have woken up my kid to see it. (She's only 2 1/2 anyway, so she wouldn't appreciate it) But I think it was worth it to stay up to watch, if only to be witness to something that will become a part of history.

It was beautiful.             

People have been writing for weeks, comparing Kate to Diana. I don't want to be one of them, but I'd like to share my thoughts.
I can't see the new princess being every bit as influential as Princess Di, but why should she be? She has her own mark to make. She's a completely different person. 

I can see that she looks happy, and unafraid to embrace the responsibilities that being a part of the Royal Family entails. She looks determined, and she looks like she's found her home. So Kudos to her!

And good luck to Prince Willliam and Princess Kate. We wish you all the best in your marriage.
We hope your special day was just that, special! And we can't wait to see some little ones running around again.
Congratulations!
♥ the girls at J.LiLy

Jessica at J.LiLy