Sometimes I love reading romantic stories. It makes me happy. It makes me think about how wonderful falling in love can be when it first happens.
Then there are those times when it can be very discouraging. As you get older and older, watching all your friends and former classmates marry, you begin to wonder. When will I find “The One”? Did I miss out? Is there something wrong with me? And then there’s the big question: Why can’t love happen to me like it does in the books I read?
Now, that is a doozy of a question. Sometimes love isn’t always as simple as the books. Sometimes it’s too simple--in other words, too unreal.
Then again, why can’t the love in books be real? It is possible to fall in love. It may not happen easily, it may not be simple, it may not be elegant, it may not happen when you’re really young… but it’s there. It exists. Some people fall in love in high school, some in college, some just after college. But not everyone finds “The One” right away. Some people find them in their 30’s, 40’s, and beyond! It’s true! You may be thinking, “I don’t want to wait THAT long!” You may not have to. You may get lucky and meet them right away.
While reading Persuasion, there’s a gentleman who loses the love of his life in death before they could be wed. He’s devastated. Anne Elliot talks to his friend about him saying, “He will rally again, and be happy with another.” It turned out to be true, he does love again. Even if death separates two people in love, they can love again.
One of my favorite TV shows is How I Met Your Mother. Even if you don’t care for the show, what I am about to share with you will fill your heart with hope. It certainly filled mine with hope (my eyes fill with tears every time I watch that episode). I wanted to embed a video clip here, but for some reason, there is not a single video of that part on You Tube that is of decent quality. So here's the dialogue instead:
Ted: Okay, I'm going to say something out loud that I've been doing a pretty good job of not saying out loud lately. What you and Tony have, what I thought for a second you and I had, what I know that Marshall and Lily have... I want that. I do. I keep waiting for it to happen, and waiting for it to happen, and... I guess I'm just tired of waiting. And that is all I'm going to say on that subject.
Stella: You know I talked my way out of a speeding ticket?
Ted: Really?
Stella: I was heading upstate with my parents, I was doing 90 on the country roads, and I got pulled over. So this cop, gets out of his car, swaggers over and he says, 'Lady, I've been waiting for you all day.' And I said, 'Sorry Officer, I got here as fast as I could!'
Ted: For real?
Stella: No, it's just a joke. [pause] I know that you're tired of waiting. And you may have to wait a little while more but, she's on her way, Ted. And she's getting here, as fast as she can.
You may think love is taking too long to come your way. But it’s coming… as fast as it can. It may not be perfect, you may not be Cinderella and he may not be Prince Charming, but it’s out there for you. Hope is a powerful thing. Embrace it.
~Jessica
(Photo from: http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=6744321&searchId=46d5793b1ae771a4889235ccab91c17a&npos=132)
Love this! And that is one of my absolute favorite moments from How I Met Your Mother! This is a great post, giving a little hope to any hopeless out there :0)
ReplyDeleteBooks and TV can be so misleading about how true love really is anyway. There's more to it than a hot guy who'll save you from the end of the world and all the rest. There's something to be said about the way YA books tend to heavily emphasize that your first love is almost always your last love because in real life that's not always the case. I'm not knocking the books because the cute romance is one of the reasons I read YA. I guess what I'm saying is that I can understand how some books can make readers feel as if they've missed out on something. I'm married but sometimes when I'm reading some paranormal YA, I'll look at my husband and think "I wonder if you'd try and save me from a vampire if it came to it?" how ridiculous is that? I hope this comment makes sense. I think I've gone off on a tangent.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm one of the hopeless. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful! I'm a hopeless romantic, even though I haven't found true love yet. Sometimes I worry and get frustrated, especially as I get older...sometimes I'm downright terrified that I'll end up the spinster aunt, you know? But I have to believe that he's coming, he's just taking a bit longer than I'd like lol. I think part of why I write and read romance is to live vicariously, and know there is great love out there. It's not always realistic in books and on TV, but I still love it, and I enjoy reading it and watching it...hoping someday that'll be me.
ReplyDeleteSarah: It is definitely one of the best parts I've seen on the show so far! :)
ReplyDeleteLan: You totally make sense. Books and TV can be ridiculous at times--especially in paranormal romance! :P
Jenny: No you're not! Have hope! Hope is great! :)
SweetMarie83: I'm a hopeless romantic too, so I enjoy living vicariously through books and movies. Hoping for someday keeps a person going. :)
Thank you for your comments!
<3 <3 <3 I was so happy to find this post.
ReplyDeleteI know it's a late reply. I know you (Jessica S) will find "the one" for you, it will take time. But he will be coming so hold on tight, kay! (here's hoping for you). Romance is never quite what everyone thinks. it is far more complex and never quite certain in a way.
ReplyDeleteFor most it is a blessing and happiness. And quite rightly so.
For others; not so much. And what ever factors or variables are included or taken in to account, romance just never seems to be for them.
Take me for example; I've turned my back on romance. But at the same time, I don't hold anything against it (true I cover my eyes when there is a kissing scene xDD). Most guys (that have been spurned and rejected repeatedly) will hold against it for what ever reason(s).