Anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with TV and books—but not TV in general, and certainly not just any old book oh no. Only a special few stories have had what it takes to steal my heart. Nobody truly knows why I love them so much, and so this is for them and anyone else who needs a little help in understanding just why fictional characters are so important to some people.

Here are a list of ten magnificent main characters of popular television shows, movies, and books of my generation.

Emma Swan (“Once Upon A Time”)

She allowed herself to believe, and in doing so, survived.

Percy Jackson (“Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief”, Rick Riordan)

He became a hero even though he thought he was unworthy.

Christina Yang (“Greys Anatomy”)

Christina begged her friend to see herself as the sun of her own universe and to never put anyone else ahead of her.

Harry Potter (“Harry Potter” series, J.K. Rowling)

Even when he had EVERY right to crumble, he saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

Kara Danvers (“Supergirl”, DC)

She ignored societies limitations for her and forced the world to watch her fly above the expectations set on her.

Scott McCall (“Teen Wolf”)

Scott always does what is right and not what is easy.

Clary Fray (“The Mortal Instruments”, Cassandra Clare)

She chose fight instead of flight, and she did what was right.

Steve Rodgers (“Captain America” , MARVEL)

He stayed who he was at his core, even when everybody was trying to change him into something “better”.

Margo Roth Spiegelman (“Paper Towns”, John Green)

She had no idea who she was, but she knew she wanted to find out and so she chased after herself.

Adam Wilde (“If I Stay”, Gayle Forman)

Even though it pained him, he let the love of his life go so she could be happy.

AND A BONUS FOR YOU:

Tris Prior (“Divergent”, Veronica Roth)

She taught the WORLD to be brave.

Does that help? Do you understand a bit better? It’s not the characters themselves that make it so enjoyable, though they are amazing, it’s the lessons learned. Be brave, be strong, find yourself, stay who you are, do what is right and not what is easy. I have learned how to be a better human being after meeting these characters, each teaching me a new and valuable lesson that I will always hold dear to my heart.

Maybe you still think I'm crazy, but honestly these characters are now a part of me and I hope one day they become a part of you too.