Ladies, are you still looking for Prince Charming? Do you expect your husband or boyfriend to be Prince Charming? Relationships would actually be a lot better if we could cast aside the Prince Charming myth. Here are some reasons you’ll want to do it ladies!

Prince Charming doesn’t exist.

Of course it would be great if he did. Who doesn’t want to be swept away on a white horse and live in a castle with servants, fancy balls, beautiful dresses and room service? But, there is no perfect man. The grass may seem greener on the other side of the castle wall, but what you don’t know is if that the grass over there is artificial.

If Prince Charming did exist, he’d expect you to be perfect too.

If you did get Prince Charming, imagine the pressure of living up to his standard of perfection. Think about it—he’s never going to age, he’s always in a good mood, and he can eat a feast every night and not gain weight. That kind of pep would drive anyone crazy and be impossible to relate to him.

Prince Charming couldn’t make it in the real world.

Prince Charming may slay dragons, but do you really think he’d be up for unclogging the toilet at 3 a.m.? What about driving a car full of sweaty boys or sitting through dance class every week surrounded by screaming kids? Ladies, I can’t even picture Prince Charming driving a minivan, can you?

He’d annoy you.

Did you see the movie, Enchanted? Giselle was head over heels for Prince Charming at first until she met the simple, quiet man who loved her in real life…not just in the fairy tale life. Yes, Prince Charming was a good guy, but eventually the Prince persona wears thin.

The Prince Charming myth distracts you from the real prince in your life.

Ladies, it bears repeating, there is no perfect man. Your husband or boyfriend may not be all you dreamed he would be, but that’s the reality of life. The secret is looking for the good in him and letting love cover his shortcomings. I’m not saying to ignore areas of your relationship that could be better. We can all improve. I am saying that it’s better to keep your expectations in check and appreciate the man who chose to spend his life with you, rather than looking longingly out the window for someone who doesn’t exist. And frankly you wouldn’t want to because the idea of Prince Charming is unrealistic. Bob Marley says, “If he can make you laugh at least once, cause you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes hold onto him. He may not quote poetry, but he will give you a part of himself that he knows you could break. Love hard when there is love to be had because perfect guys don’t exist, but there is one guy who is perfect for you.”

The man in your life might not be Prince Charming, but he can still be your prince. And that is the real fairy tale.