Once upon a time, in a land not too far away, children are told enchanting stories about brave princes and beautiful princesses locked in castles, waiting to be rescued. After the dragons have been slayed and “they all lived happily ever after” has been deemed, kids can drift asleep peacefully, knowing what their future holds.
Then we grow up.
We know they’re just stories. We know life isn’t scripted and the best love stories don’t happen in 90 minutes or less, despite what Disney wants us to believe.
Even though we don’t expect a fairy-tale life, I don’t think that necessarily means we don’t want one. In the depths of our subconscious, we long for the warm, fuzzy feeling that stemmed from hearing, "And they all lived happily ever after.”
If I’m being completely honest, there’s literally nothing appealing about the life of a princess portrayed in fairy tales. Cinderella was stuck in an old cellar waiting around for someone to set her free, Snow White was waiting for a prince to save her and Sleeping Beauty couldn’t even wake up without a kiss.
Ah, no thanks.
Fairy tales are fun to read, but they’re nothing more than stories. Having the love depicted in these tales is, to put it bluntly, overrated.
Overrated and inaccurate.
Why?
Because girls don’t need to be saved.
Yes, a lot of us are broken -- some more than others -- and we may be hurting, but we don’t need someone to swoop in and fight for us. We can fight and win our own battles.
We can slay our own dragons.
We’re not helpless; we’re not weak or powerless. But that’s the impression fairy tales give.
We don’t need to be rescued, we just need to know someone loves us.
But not the fake love that is found in fairy tales.
The real love that leaves our hearts full and eyes sparkling.
It’s messy and chaotic, but it’s honest and it’s real.
None of that can be found in fairy tales.
Fairy tales all follow the same basic storyline: a princess in distress, a problem to be solved and the prince saves the day. That all sounds great, except in real life, love and a prince don’t magically make things all better.
Yes, love most definitely adds something to life. Having a significant other to laugh with or unwind after a long day with can turn a bad day good, but meeting a great guy or girl isn’t the answer to all of life’s problems like Disney wants you to believe.
I’ll admit I want to get to “ever, ever after” too.
But I don’t want a love that I settle into like fairy tales. I want a love that makes me feel alive and fills every ounce of my being with exhilaration.
I want a love that makes my heart beat faster and puts color into a black and white world.
I want five-hour conversations about fears and dreams and everything between, and midnight ice cream runs.
I want unplanned road trips that inevitably get us lost.
What fairy tale has that?
Fine me a Prince Charming that trades the glory of saving a princess for a love like that.
And if not, I’ll just take his horse. I’m probably a better rider anyway.
