I just finished binge-watching How I Met Your Mother on Netflix and I can say this show was so extremely satisfying for the hopeless romantic in me. If you've watched this long-running sitcom, than you know that it is the perfect show that portrays all of the different kinds of love and even the conflict and hard times that occur between two people. But as much as I love this show, I have to admit it portrays unrealistically high expectations for love and relationships. Look back on some of the things the characters do for each other, then proceed to weep, knowing you'll never get that lucky.
(WARNING: There will be HIMYM spoilers in this post).
The marching band at the airport.
The biggest "awwww" moment of the TV show (in my opinion) has to be when Marshall brought a marching band to the airport. Marshall always met Lily at the airport after her travels, and he almost wasn't going to meet her this one time. But, after realizing how important those little traditions are, Marshall went all out and brought a college marching band to serenade Lily when she arrived.
Honestly, how much cuter can it get?? There's no way this will ever happen to me, but a girl can dream, right?
The impossible feat of settling down with Barney Stinson.
Barney is the ultimate womanizer. He's been with over 200 women and he is completely disgusted by the thought of marriage. But somehow, some way Robin is the one woman who is able to change this promiscuous man. Not only is this the most unrealistic aspect of the show, but it is so dangerous for anyone to think that they can "change" someone. Props to Robin, but if I met a real-life Barney, I would run the other direction and not even hope that I would be the one to change that man.
Ted's unwavering belief in destiny and true love.
Ted has been through the ringer when it comes to relationships. The audience witnesses so many failed attempts at true love and still, Ted continues to believe that each new girl might be "the one." He even got left at the altar and he still has the courage to be the most hopeless romantic, believing that destiny will be kind to him. I would hope that I'd be able to bounce back from such hardships, but I know that in reality, I'd definitely be more cynical than Ted Moseby.
Marshall's selflessness with Lily.
Marshall and Lily are basically my OTP (one true pairing, favorite couple of all time). I think Marshall's complete understanding and devotion to his wife is LEGEN... wait for it... DARY. Lily left Marshall for a whole summer, working on her art. Even though Marshall was completely blindsided and heartbroken, he took her back. He also postponed his dream job of being a judge so they could move to Rome for Lily's dream job. I think it's completely unrealistic to expect someone like Marshall, but I would be the luckiest person in the world to find someone that devoted.
The surprise rehearsal dinner.
Barney's surprise rehearsal dinner for Robin was absolutely insane. The amount of planning that this man goes through to surprise Robin (even though he lies to achieve it) is so heartwarming. This was truly unbelievable. If something like this has happened to you in real life, that is truly amazing.
The culmination of it all, Robin's locket.
I'll admit, I wasn't a fan of the Ted and Robin relationship. I thought they weren't good for each other because they felt completely opposite on many critical points. It's quite clear that the producers and writers were building this relationship throughout the whole show. Even though they were just "friends" at this point, Ted went through hell and high water, even flying to the opposite coast, on the ultimate quest to find this locket that was so important to Robin. Every guy that I know would probably just say, "Aw man, I'm sorry that you lost it."
That is the difference between Hollywood and reality, people.
