OK, I admit it! I am a romance novel guru......
Now please know that when I say 'romance' novel, I am not talking about the kind that you turn over at garage sales to keep your younger siblings from looking at the covers! :o)
I am talking about the simple kind of romance, The kind that follows families for generations.
I am talking about the simple kind of romance, The kind that follows families for generations.
Such as the Love's Long Journey series by Jeanette Oke. ( If you have never read the books but have seen the movies, just know that the movies DO NOT DO JUSTICE!!!)
In general people are all the time saying things such as, 'Reading any kind of romance creates ideals in your mind that aren't true' or 'Men really don't act that way in real life' or 'Marriages aren't like that at all'
Well.....no. and yes.
Sometimes it depends on the author, other times, the mind that reads the words.
I am fifteen year old young lady. I enjoy reading these stories (because that is all they are!)
I have tryed to be really careful not to let the, I'll just say 'sweetness' effect me. BUT,
I am afraid I am now a hopeless romantic at heart. Is that a bad thing??
As far as reading these books and them creating ideals, yes, they do. But not one that is necessarily untrue or bad. If you are reading someone like Jane Austen or Jeannette Oke you will know that it is not 'Love at first sight' blah Sometimes the people hate each other!
I HOPE that one day when (and if God allows it) I get married, I love the man I am marrying!
Now I know that he will most likely not sweep me up in his arms in the middle of a pouring rain or come riding up on a white stallion.
But, he will be my prince charming. It is all in the way you look at it.
No,most men do not act like the men in these novels.
Most of the so called 'men' out there in the world do not even act like men.
They were not trained to work hard, protect ladies, be the leaders of their family, etc.
But, there are guys out there who were trained to do that.
Now to point three,
Marriages are not like that at all'
What? Are you sure?
Because when I look at my parents I see everything that is sweet,lovely, and yeah, even a little
(as much as you can be with 6 kids) romantic.
My dad:
He opens doors for my mom
He sends her flowers for no reason
He rubs her feet every single night (!!!!)
He buys her small gifts about once a week (new watch, chap stick,new clothes)
He LOVES to be around her. (He'll go anywhere, as long as she'll go with him)
My Mom:
I see her tirelessly giving of herself to my dad.
She is constantly coming up with ways to serve him and make his load lighter.
She makes it a point to make his favorite meals.
She will be the first to admit that she has a lot of learning to do in this area. (although I think she is doing great)
Now, I say all of this not to prove whoever thinks or says the above things about novels is wrong.
I am just simply stating my opinion on the matter. :o)
-taylor
11 comments:
I feel the same way taylor! what a great post!!
Great post Tay! I sometimes need a reminder that 'Booky Romance' can never come true too. Mom calls me a hopless romance as well. I can't wait for part 2!
P.S. Sorry, I messed up and commented in moms name earlier.
I came to your blog to tell you to go check out kids LAKE and saw this WONDERFUL post. I can't wait to see part 2 either.
Oh, I found your whole foods for whole families blog. I LOVE IT! I could read the same food posts a million times. ( O.K. maybe not a million, but ALOT)
Luv ya and truly sorry for the lack of contact. Oh, Miss You,
Sarah
Bria, I love your healthy
post!!!! (I've read it like 5 times:)
OH, GO CHECK OUT KIDS LAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Taylor for posting about this. I know its easy to get all wrapped around the romantic ideals in these books. I too am a avid romantic (much to my brothers dismay) and can get a little carried away with reading too many novels and not enough "thinking material" if you know what I mean.
I'm looking forward to your next post!:)
~Sarah~
What a great post! Did your Mom read this...!
In particular the part about how much I love her?
You are a great daughter, and I applaud your love of reading....though I am a little saddened by lack of love for the elves. :(
Love Dad
Taylor, I love this post too!
I am a hopeless romantic at heart, as well... still love J.O. and J.A. love stories, and I agree, the books are sooooo much better than the movies.
I loved what you wrote about your mom and dad and I just wanted to also testify to the fact that reality, though not as glamorous sometimes, is so much sweeter than romance novels when you marry a man who loves Christ first!
My husband is my hero and I can't stand it when he's away... even if it's just for 20 minutes at the store! I love to be near him and I love to watch how our children adore him!
Keep seeking the Lord first! You have incredible wisdom and insight. May the Lord truly bless you with a man after His own heart, in His timing!
Love,
Mrs. McKinney
Wow. ROCKIN' post, Taylor! I so, so, so agree with everything you said. I was so much like you when I was younger... and guess what? I still am!!! :-) God answered the desire of my heart and gave me a beautiful, romantic love story with the man of my dreams (a story that is just in the beginning chapters, really... since we have our whole lives ahead of us!)
I KNOW that God has your prince out there and as you are preparing yourself for him, God is preparing him, too. I really and truly hope that we are still in touch when God brings you two together, because it's going to be a beautiful love story!
And, I have to agree... it's definitely not all roses and cupcakes. Marriage IS hard work and sometimes the person you love the most in all the world is also the person that drives you the CRAZIEST! But... it's also the most amazing, special thing on the face of the earth. And it just keeps getting better and better...
You just keep believing in the romance!
Hey there, my name is Jen. I am one of Brandi's friends. That's how I found your blog. :)
This was a great post and you are just a precious young woman. And you are right, their are those kind of wonderful men out there. I have one. :) I thank God every day for the sweet man He brought me. And in His timing He will bring you one too. :)
It's nice to meet you!! Jen
Wonderful post Taylor!
Romance is so much more than gifts...although those are nice too! ;o) But when a man is faithful, THAT is truly romantic to me (maybe because I grew up with an un-faithful father).
I mean faithful in the important things such as not looking at other women, going to work everyday, not spending money on his own wants but always puts his family's needs first.
There is such security in a faithful husband. Jeff is not big on bringing me home gifts for no reason, but I have no doubt that his heart is at home, all he does is for me and our family.
The other day I asked him to carry a load of laundry out to the deck so I could hang it out. When I actually got out there to hang it, he had pulled up a chair and put the basket in the chair to make it easier for me. It sounds silly, but that is romantic to me. He is always looking for ways to make my life easier...better. It don't get no better than that!!!!!
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