True Love Is ...

I was a big, big fan of the Twilight books when they first came out. I would read them all the way through, and then I would start them over again so that I could remember how things were in the beginning of their relationship. I would think about the great scenes in the books and smile. I loved these books so much. 

And then the movies came.

I'll admit that I was one of those people who stood in line to be the first person to see Twilight in our local theater. At that time no one knew that these movies were going to be a big deal, so it wasn't a midnight showing or anything like that. I was just excited to see the story in my head produced for the big screen. The result? Well, it was less than stellar. But I was still caught up in my great love for the book, so I overlooked a lot of the obvious flaws in the movie and just enjoyed the experience.

Now after five movies have been produced I can say that my love for this series has faded a lot. The movies really destroyed the books for me. I'm sorry to all of you RPattz fans out there, but Robert Pattinson is a terrible, terrible actor. He constantly looks constipated, whether he is happy or angry or in the grips of passion. It's a tad bit disturbing. And Kristen Stewart constantly looks ticked off at the world. She has the emotional acting range of a carrot. Taylor Lautner is marginally better, but I think that is because he is the only actor of the top three stars who actually really, really wants to be there. And then there is the script itself. Words that seemed so romantic and swoon-worthy in the book just sound ridiculous and cheesy when onscreen. I'm not sure if this is the fault of the actors, the directors, or the screenplay. It's probably a combination of all of it. So anyway, I have gotten to the point where I can hardly bear to see the movies onscreen in the theaters or at home.

But I feel a sense of obligation to see this thing through to the end. I don't know why. Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment. But I have forked out the money for the ridiculously overpriced theater prices to see these films for the past several years. For the last two years I drew the line at showing up for the midnight showing, but to be fair, last year we were in China when it opened, and this year I was concerned about being able to wake up for seminary the next morning. So I waited.

But this post is not about my feelings about the Twilight Saga. This is about the love of a man for a woman, and the great lengths he will go to in order to prove his love to that girl. 

My sweet husband loves me dearly.

I hadn't been pushing to see the movie right away because we have been so busy, and we just haven't found a good time to go. I was planning on going with Laney and Savannah who could appreciate the movie a little bit. But because they have a packed schedule I was thinking that I was going to have to wait for a few more weeks. But yesterday Herman invited me to go see the movie with him ... or more accurately, he volunteered to sacrifice his dignity on the altar of husbandly duties and see the movie with me.

I know he hates these movies. I know that he tries very hard not to comment on them because he doesn't want to ruin the experience for me. And I know that Herman has a very, very hard time keeping his opinions to himself, so it about kills him to sit through these movies without laughing or cracking a joke. But yesterday he agreed to see the movie and try really hard to smile and be supportive as he watched.

We arrived at the theater and ordered tickets. When I told the ticket guy that we wanted two for Breaking Dawn he loudly announced "TWO FOR BREAKING DAWN!" Herman said, "Come on man. Have pity on me. Not so loud." We noticed several guys attending this showing with their significant others, and all of them had the look of martyrs on their face. You know, that look that says, "You are totally going to owe me for this later." So funny.

The movie began, and it was the usual Twilight movie. Lots of screen shots of Edward looking pained, a few of Jacob looking cocky, Bella looking completely hateful at half the world, and the obligatory pan of beautiful vampire faces to remind us again and again just how amazing these vampires are. There were some good parts. There were some horribly bad parts. I thought that Baby Renesmee looked horribly creepy ... nightmare-like creepy. But it was a good end to this series. I think the best part was the audience reactions. I knew the big twist at the end, but many people did not, so after it occurs there was an audible gasp of relief after they realized that everyone was okay. I really, really liked the closing credits when they showed all the principle actors from the entire series. That was cool. I wish they'd do that for all big movie series conclusions. 

And Herman didn't laugh one single time. He didn't even laugh at the very end when Bella let Edward see inside her mind and showed him scenes from all of the movies. He kept his features schooled and calm. He let me enjoy the experience. Now, as soon as the movie was over he bowled over with laughter, grateful that he had performed his duty with flying colors. He did a few fist bumps with other men in the audience who had also survived the journey, and then he laughed and laughed on the way out as he described Bella's special gift to Edward at the end of the movie ... "I made you this video on my iPhone of my favorite moments." I can't do his joke justice through my blog words, but it was a little funny,

So anyway, last night Herman proved himself to be a man truly, deeply in love. This will be an act of love that will probably continually be brought up at Blau family gatherings for years to come. I will probably have to return the favor someday and see a Herman movie with him, but I don't mind. He usually has good tastes ... not counting his great love for all of the Rocky movies.

He loves me. He really, really loves me!

And just for kicks ...

Love it!