What Makes A Prince?
I grew up watching Disney movies. As a child, the classic animated Disney movies were shown at local theaters every so many years. (I believe it was about every seven years that they made the rounds.) My parents did not have a lot of money to indulge me and my brothers, but they usually tried to take us to see these movies when possible. I have always loved these motion pictures, and to this day, have never tired of them.
When I became a mother, I excitedly collected most of these classics on videotape for my own children to watch. I have seen them all countless times, and still enjoy them.
In several of the stories, there is a common theme; a young lady is in some sort of peril, but along comes a handsome prince to save the day. The two "ride off into the sunset", so to speak, to live "happily ever after".
It's funny, but I never thought any of these princes were appealing. Sure, they was handsome, strong, powerful, and heroic. I couldn't put my finger on it...something about them (i.e. all of the Disney princes) was so...dull. So...flat. So...meh. Don't get me wrong. I love the romantic idea of a prince. Its hard not to get caught up in the thrill of an ideal love story. I just couldn't put my finger on it; these guys were bland. But, why?
There has been a story circulating in recent months on social media. It is about a young couple who wanted to get married, but the man had to scrimp and save to buy the wedding rings. He took his bride--to--be to a Pandora store to pick out some very modestly priced rings. One of the workers at the jewelry store snickered and commented that "some men" "actually" bought those rings as wedding sets. Those snarky remarks stung the young man. He already had doubt about his worth, and this further injured his fragile ego.
His fiance assured him that she loved the rings, and she wore them proudly. The article summed up that love is much more than how much money one spends on rings.
I remember another young couple picking out wedding rings, many years ago. They went to a jewelry store that was going out of business. Everything was heavily discounted, so this couple went inside and began to look through the glass cases at all the wedding bands.
They settled on matching 10k gold rings. They each had a tiny diamond (perhaps .01 carat) in the center, and the band had an etched design. The rings were 70% off...about $60 for the men's band, and $50 for the lady's.
Thirty two years have gone by, and those bands are still on our hands. Yes, that was me and my husband John. Our budget was very small, but our love was without end. My "prince" couldn't afford to buy me the finest, but he bought me the best that he could.
My wedding ring is the most cherished piece of jewelry I own. It is not just a ring, it is a circle that contains the wholeness of what it means to be married. It went on my finger when I was a 21 year old girl. I had no wrinkles, weighed 90 lbs., was innocent and fresh faced. I promised my dear one to love him for the rest of our lives. Likewise, he made the same promise to me.
Now, with gray hairs, and lined skin, my ring is very snug. I am no longer that 90 lb. girl, and have nearly outgrown my wedding band. John's ring is smooth now, the etchings are long gone, due to his working outdoors for several years.
I have come to understand why those fictitious princes do not appeal to me. A man of substance is a man who struggles against life's challenges.
My prince isn't perfect and one dimensional. He came into my life as a young, idealistic man. He had much to learn, but he was good to me. He was polite, protective, gentlemanly. As we developed a deeper relationship, he strove to give me the best things that he could. I have never taken these things for granted because he has given generously from his heart.
There is no such thing as "happily ever after". Life is work. Love is work. Sometimes a prince must wash dishes or scoop dog poop. He might break down in a fit of four letter words, or forget to take out the trash.
The heart of a man is the measure of his status, not the amount of money in his wallet, or his social standing. My man has a heart full of love. He is a true and down to earth "real" prince.
When I became a mother, I excitedly collected most of these classics on videotape for my own children to watch. I have seen them all countless times, and still enjoy them.
In several of the stories, there is a common theme; a young lady is in some sort of peril, but along comes a handsome prince to save the day. The two "ride off into the sunset", so to speak, to live "happily ever after".
It's funny, but I never thought any of these princes were appealing. Sure, they was handsome, strong, powerful, and heroic. I couldn't put my finger on it...something about them (i.e. all of the Disney princes) was so...dull. So...flat. So...meh. Don't get me wrong. I love the romantic idea of a prince. Its hard not to get caught up in the thrill of an ideal love story. I just couldn't put my finger on it; these guys were bland. But, why?
There has been a story circulating in recent months on social media. It is about a young couple who wanted to get married, but the man had to scrimp and save to buy the wedding rings. He took his bride--to--be to a Pandora store to pick out some very modestly priced rings. One of the workers at the jewelry store snickered and commented that "some men" "actually" bought those rings as wedding sets. Those snarky remarks stung the young man. He already had doubt about his worth, and this further injured his fragile ego.
His fiance assured him that she loved the rings, and she wore them proudly. The article summed up that love is much more than how much money one spends on rings.
I remember another young couple picking out wedding rings, many years ago. They went to a jewelry store that was going out of business. Everything was heavily discounted, so this couple went inside and began to look through the glass cases at all the wedding bands.
They settled on matching 10k gold rings. They each had a tiny diamond (perhaps .01 carat) in the center, and the band had an etched design. The rings were 70% off...about $60 for the men's band, and $50 for the lady's.
Thirty two years have gone by, and those bands are still on our hands. Yes, that was me and my husband John. Our budget was very small, but our love was without end. My "prince" couldn't afford to buy me the finest, but he bought me the best that he could.
My wedding ring is the most cherished piece of jewelry I own. It is not just a ring, it is a circle that contains the wholeness of what it means to be married. It went on my finger when I was a 21 year old girl. I had no wrinkles, weighed 90 lbs., was innocent and fresh faced. I promised my dear one to love him for the rest of our lives. Likewise, he made the same promise to me.
Now, with gray hairs, and lined skin, my ring is very snug. I am no longer that 90 lb. girl, and have nearly outgrown my wedding band. John's ring is smooth now, the etchings are long gone, due to his working outdoors for several years.
I have come to understand why those fictitious princes do not appeal to me. A man of substance is a man who struggles against life's challenges.
My prince isn't perfect and one dimensional. He came into my life as a young, idealistic man. He had much to learn, but he was good to me. He was polite, protective, gentlemanly. As we developed a deeper relationship, he strove to give me the best things that he could. I have never taken these things for granted because he has given generously from his heart.
There is no such thing as "happily ever after". Life is work. Love is work. Sometimes a prince must wash dishes or scoop dog poop. He might break down in a fit of four letter words, or forget to take out the trash.
The heart of a man is the measure of his status, not the amount of money in his wallet, or his social standing. My man has a heart full of love. He is a true and down to earth "real" prince.
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