It’s probably a pretty fair assumption to say that most every girl in the world has seen, or read, romantic fairytales. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White… I could list more, but you get the idea. Why are little girls (and sometimes not so little girls) captivated by the whole happily-ever-after thing?
Because we’re girls, and most of us are very much into romance. And what could be better than a handsome Prince Charming coming to the rescue of the beautiful girl (or princess)?
Our very own Prince Charming.
Are there any real-life princes though? We grown-ups call them soul mates now, which I guess makes it sound like there’s a deeper meaning. But basically I think they’re one in the same. The question is, are they just fantasy, or flesh and blood men?
At different times in my life, I thought I might have found mine. Some turned out to be frogs. Others turned out to be the warts on frogs.
Frankly I don’t know anyone who seems to think they got their prince. Well maybe one woman, but they’ve been married well over fifty years and she thinks the sun rises and sets with him. Most of the rest seem to be content ( or maybe resigned?) with their lot in life. But if there’s any romance there, I’m not aware of it. Of course I’m not with them twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week either so who knows.
Do fairytales set us up to be disappointed when we grow up? Or do we just settle and lose out on that whole soul mate connection? Or…did we have it and it just got lost in the shuffle of life. Responsibilities, kids, jobs…
The Urban Dictionary defines ‘soul mate’ as: A person with whom you have an immediate connection the moment you meet – a connection so strong that you are drawn to them in a way you have never experienced before…
Now I can’t vouch for the accuracy of the Urban Dictionary, but that seems to go along with what I’ve heard other people describe. Those who believe they’ve found their other half. Wouldn’t it be interesting to talk to them ten years later and see if that assessment still holds true?
Are there any princes left today (if there were ever any to begin with)? Or do we just have well-behaved (fairly), domesticated frogs to choose from? I’m kind of leaning toward the frogs. Just not too close. After all, Miss Piggy never was able to turn Kermit into a prince with a kiss, so why take a chance on catching warts?
What about you? Do you believe in soul-mates? Were you blessed with a prince, or an amphibian?
I’ve definitely had some warts on the frog experiences — and hey, I’m now a single mom. The only princes currently in my life are the ones in the fairy tale I’m writing. LOL.
I will say, though, that my parents had that soul-mate kind of marriage. Was it perfect? Of course not. But my dad still carries a picture in his wallet of my mom at age 14, which is when he met her. They were happy, did everything together, and truly enjoyed each others’ company (most of the time!) for 32 years, right up until she died in his arms while he read to her from the Bible.
My Dad is only 55 now. He’s an active, attractive guy. It’s been three years, and I don’t know if he’ll ever do what my mom wanted.
Here is what my mom told me… “If he doesn’t wait at least a year, tell him I’m gonna haunt his ass. After that, if he finds someone, be nice to the bitch.”
So do I think it exists? I’m pretty sure it at least can.
LOL! I think I would really have liked your mom, Breeana! It’s so sad that they didn’t have a few more decades together though.
My maternal grandparents were kind of like that, and I guess my grandpa was as close to a prince as any I’ve ever known. They had to have been married a good sixty years, and it’s probably good that he went first. Not sure what he’d have done if he didn’t have her to take care of. And he took care of her very well.
Here’s hoping YOU find someone like the princes in your books. And you can send Nathaniel my way. 🙂
Oh yes – the warts on the frog – been there & divorced that – thank goodness. But I have now found my prince – absolutely they exist! Are they perfect? No. Do they ride you into the sunset? No. Hell – they don’t even change the toilet paper half the time (but mine does do the laundry & vacuuming!) But mine is definitely more than a domesticated frog in my book! 9 yrs later for me & I feel like I found my soul mate. (Yeah, I’m a sap… what can I say?)
When I read your husband’s list in your blog I figured you’d found quite a gem, Karen. LOL about the toilet paper…but laundry and vacuuming? Wow…I’m impressed! Can you talk him in to giving prince lessons? I bet you’d have women in your area kissing your feet.
You go right ahead and be a sap. You’re in good company. So am I, which is why I enjoy writing romances. But I still wonder because I’ve yet to meet a prince. 🙂
Would “amphibian prince” qualify as a category? ;))
I think it HAS to qualify, Nyla. I mean we ARE talking guys here, and they can be all over the board. Not that we women are perfect or anything. Close but not quite. 🙂