Fictional love or real love?

"You want a man, who will lead you down the beach, with his hand over your eyes, just so you can discover the feel of the sand beneath your feet. You want a guy, who will wake you up a dawn, just bursting to talk to you, he can't wait another minute just to find out what you'll say. Am I right?"

I was watching Runaway Bride for the first time today (classic... I don't know why I've never seen it) and this quote just really hit me at my core. What girl wouldn't want a man like this? At first I just tried to shake off the feelings that this moment in the movie evoked by telling myself that this kind of love only exists in movies. At least that is what Hollywood always tries to tell us. They come up with these elaborate tales of men who drop everything that they are doing, simply to see their one true love again. Men who walk for days in the rain, men who give up their dreams because they know that their dreams mean nothing if they are alone, men who will do anything, just to see her smile... I'm sure you can name many more of your favorite romance scenes. But we all think Oh, this could never happen to me.... what guy would want to give up his life for me.... that kind of love doesn't exists. And so, all too often, we settle. We settle for whatever guy happens to give us the slightest bit of attention. Sure, maybe he is a really awesome guy and there is nothing 'wrong' with him, but does he hang on your every word? Does he constantly tell you how much he loves you? How beautiful you are? How you are the best thing that has ever happened to him? My challenge to all of you in the dating world is this: don't settle. 

Women: You are the crown of creation. Don't be afraid to set some kind of standards. Sooner or later, someone will come along who will realize your worth and your dignity and fight for it. I'm not saying you have to wait for "Mr. Perfect", but wait for someone who will really pursue you and figure out what makes you you. Trust me, it will be hard. You're going to get tired of waiting, you're going to hurt, you're going to want to give up. But keep fighting. It will be well worth it in the end. And it's amazing just how much boys turn into men when you make them work for your heart. Allowing a man to pursue you doesn't make you weak: it makes you strong because you know what you deserve.

Men: Fight for your women. Be bold. Don't be afraid to say no to a girl who is simply seeking attention from you. It's not fair to you either. Beware of the fine line of giving your all to a woman, and letting her walk all over you. We need to be called on as well. Set your own standards and allow them to influence the way you pursue and look after the women you love. Recognize the beauty that is before you. Cherish her. It is said that the Trojan War was started because of Helen, a woman, so beautiful, that the Greeks wanted to win her back from the Trojans who had taken her as their queen. If you want to pursue a woman, fight for her... literally or figuratively... We all just want to be "the face that launched 1,000 ships."

All I'm trying to say, is that while finding love isn't easy, that doesn't mean it's not real. I certainly have my fair share of cynicism, but I know that it is only because I'm afraid I won't find it. It's out there somewhere. And until then, I pray that the Lord will guide me and reveal pieces of my story in His own timing. He will lead you too if you ask Him. Allow Him to write your love story for you, and I can guarantee that it will be better than anything you could have come up with on your own. The way I look at it, if you haven't been successful yet, then what is there to lose?

Mary, Refuge of Sinners

 I just wanted to share this beautiful prayer by St. Alphonsus Liguori:

"O most holy and pure virgin! O my mother! You who are the mother of my Lord, the queen of the world, the advocate and refuge of sinners! I, a most wretched sinner, now come to you. I honor you, great queen, and give you humble thanks for the many favors which have come to me in the past through your intercession. I love you, Lady most worthy of all love, and by the love which I bear you, I promise ever in the future to honor you, and to do what lies in me to win others to your love. Receive me as your servant, and cover me with the mantle of your protection, you who are the mother of mercy! And since you have so much power with God, implore him to deliver me from all temptations, and to give me the grace ever to overcome them. Pray for me that I may love Christ in this world as you love him, and intercede for me that I may have the grace of a good death. O my mother! by your love for God I beseech you to be at all times my helper, but above all at the last moment of my life. Cease not your supplications until you see me safe in heaven, there for countless ages to bless you and, your holy company, to worship and adore your son, for ever and ever."
Amen.

What I love most about this, is that Jesus gives us His Mother to help us overcome our daily struggles and temptations. No matter what we do, She is always there to wrap us in her motherly embrace and lead us to Her Son's mercy. As any good mother, She comforts and consoles us in our times of despair. St. Anthony of Padua beautifully states:

"Now the Lord has established a refuge of mercy, Mary, even for those who deliberately commit evil. Mary provides shelter and strength for the sinner."

What a wonderful Mother we have!

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7 Quick Takes of Christmas break

This is my first time linking up with "7 Quick Takes" hosted by conversion diary, so here goes:

7: I just got back from a much enjoyable Christmas/ New Years break with my family. It is always tons of fun to be home with my brothers and sisters during the Holiday season! Here's a copy of the picture of our traditional visit with Santa ;)

6. Not to mention, its always fun to see my cats and the silly things that they do. This cracked me up! They look like book-ends:

5. A couple of my siblings got the stomach flu around Christmas, but luckily I was able to get by unscathed and was able to partake in all the various cookies and delicious food that Christmas brings! Since my family is Italian, we do the Italian tradition of having 7 different fish on Christmas Eve. This years selection started with a few appetizers: a Tuna ball and crackers and Shrimp. Then we moved on to my mothers incredible homemade Crab Bisque, followed by the main course of Orange Ruffy, Salmon, Scallops, and Crab legs (and fish sticks for those non-adventurous fish eaters!) all in addition to a huge pot of Spaghetti with olive oil and red and green bell peppers. Always a favorite, filling meal :)


4. We have gotten a good amount of snow lately. Unfortunately, it came the day after Christmas so we had a white boxing day, but it is still beautiful! If only it weren't so cold....

3. We also took the dog sledding with us, which was really cute until he started going nuts and jumping on top of people while they were going down the hill! In his mind, he is still a puppy even though he is full grown.  But it's hard to stay mad at this face! They don't call them puppy dog eyes for nothing...

2. Over break I started reading St. Francis DeSales Introduction to the Devout Life. I have not gotten very fair yet, but already it is kicking my butt. This seems like it is going to be one of those books that takes a lot to get through because of how rich it is, but it is such a worthwhile read. I am already learning so much and excited to keep on reading! If you have some extra time on your hands (who does anymore!), I highly suggest checking it out. Even if you just skim over a few sections. I might have to post about it later!

1. I spent my New Years eve with a handful of 12 year olds, playing Just Dance 4 and eating Pepperoni Rolls. I guess I'm just not into the hype of drinking and doing crazy things to welcome in the New Year. I think that we should be thankful for every single day and celebrate each one that passes. Every day of the year is a gift, and each day that I am alive, I need to remember to thank God for. I don't do a good job of this, but I am going to try to do better. New Years resolution: be more thankful for the beating of my heart and that my lungs are up and kicking. We are on His time, not ours.