My life is not a movie

“A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment.” –Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice.

Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes!

I recently went on a 10 day trip with my parents to Orlando, Florida. It was fun in the sun (and the almost oppressive humidity) for days. I loved it. We visited the wonderful world of Harry Potter.













Where we tried a frozen butter beer. Very tasty.

Frozen Butter beer!

 Got wet on the water rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures (Thanks Dad).  Saw exotic wildlife at SeaWorld.

Penguins!

Tried the seafood at Bubba Gump Shrimp co. (So I ate chicken, sue me... but don't really. I don't have anything you want.) And donated to a good cause for veterans thanks to the Gary Sinise Foundation.

I just felt like running beard.

Got sunburned at the beach (oh, that was just me? Right.) And walked until our Fitbits almost gave out on us. It was fantastic. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to accompany my parents and get away from the real world for a little while.

Coco Beach!

At the end of the trip, as I reflected on all fun in the sun we had, I realized that the movies and books lie. I didn’t meet a mysterious and handsome stranger who was so enamored by me that he had to chase me across the country so he could confess his undying love.

Whoa. Wait, how did a picture of Tom Hiddleston end up on here? 

I got gypped! Isn’t that what is supposed to happen when a single girl of a certain age goes on a trip with her parents? Isn’t she supposed to meet THE ONE and live happily ever after? Or did all those Mary Kate and Ashley movies I watched at a pre-teen just lie to me. Ugh.

Haha. Of course, I didn’t go on this vacation with the intention of a brief and ill-fated romance blossoming between strangers. (Well maybe it did but not with me. There was a veterinary conference going on at the hotel we stayed at. Never know what those vets get up to.) But I wouldn’t be the Hopeless Romantic if I didn’t have the thought cross my mind at least once and then let my imagination get the better of me. As the quote at the top of this post implies... some people (like me) have tendency to let our imaginations get the better of us and what starts out as a fun vacation should turn into a hopelessly romantic experience that leads to "matrimony". Haha.

So no romantic vacation for me this time around. But I had a fantastic time with my parents. I even got a little bit tan… after I burned. (I was diligent about sunscreen… it just happened to be crappy sunscreen. Ugh.)

Even though I don’t have a handsome stranger chasing me across the country, I can say that my vacation was sublimely wonderful. Thanks Mom and Dad.

Until Next Time,

The Hopeless Romantic

"From Here to Eternity"

Before I get started, I want to establish that this is a safe space. In the 150+ posts on this blog, it is readily apparent that I am in fact a hopeless romantic. That's why my name is the Hopeless Romantic. This is me reminding you as well as preparing you for a pile of ooey gooey sap.

A few weeks ago, I was listening to a random Youtube playlist of country music from the 80s and 90s. Stuff I grew up listening to and watching music videos on CMT. Yeah, I was one of those weirdo kids that watched CMT... all the time much to the chagrin of my four brothers. Anyway, I was listening to this playlist when a song I had heard many years ago came on. I listened to it twice, wrote the artist and the song title on a sticky note, and then proceeded to throw the sticky note away. Of course!

The other day, I had the urge to listen to the song again. Except I couldn't remember what the name of the song was or who the artist was because I threw the sticky note away! I should tell you that the artist (and the song) didn't become very popular because I didn't remember ever knowing who this guy was, but I've fallen in love with this song. It speaks (or dare I say sings) to my hopeless romantic side. It's sweet and romantic and I just like the sound of it. I even found the original music video on Youtube... so for your viewing pleasure (from some indeterminate year of the 90s) I present "From Here to Eternity" by Michael Peterson:

I'm assuming that you have watched this incredibly corny music video and are wondering how low I can sink before I become a hopeless sap. You're too late. I'm already there. At least I'm not delusional... or so I tell myself. Can crazy people know they're crazy?

I just... I love this song. I love the message of it. I believe in a love that can last for now and for eternity. There is no "til death do us part" for me. It's for now and it's forever. Unfortunately, I have yet to find such a love. But I know of others who have found it. I'm not saying that their lives are fairy tales, nor do I expect mine to be. From my own limited knowledge, true love is that kind that last through all the ups and especially through all the downs. Life can really suck. And it can get really hard. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, I can't wait for the day that I have someone who loves me enough to want to be with me for now and for eternity even through all the crap (and the good times too, of course) we have to experience before we get there (to eternity).

That's what I like about the message of this song. Also, I think it's sweet and romantic but I've already said that. I'm repeating myself now. I suppose that means it's time to sign off. Now that I've sent this out into the universe and now you know what I've been obsessing listening to, maybe now I can move on.

Remember, this is a safe space for all of us hopeless saps romantics out there.

Until Next Time,

The Hopeless Romantic