A Heart-Shaped Box of OTPs: My Answers

This post is shamefully late, and I apologize. You'd think that after creating the tag myself, I would have filled it out and gotten it posted before now. But hey -- February's not over yet! So, I think it still counts.

So, what could be better for the month of love than a special box of chocolates? Except, of course, a box of donuts from Krispy Kreme, which is exactly what my husband brought home as a surprise on Valentine's Day. But chocolate is definitely the king of the month. And to celebrate everybody's favorite candy -- and the month of love -- I'm finally posting my answers to A Heart-Shaped Box of OTPs. You can find the original post here for more information.

To be honest, this was a lot harder to fill out than I thought it would be. Coming up with all my favorite OTPs was easy, but actually picking only a few of them to include in the tag was the difficult part. There were sometimes way too many couples that reminded me of the same chocolate, so you will notice as you go along that I've included some runner ups -- and only because those couples deserve a shout-out, too, in this month of months.

Also: I should warn those of you who care -- spoilers ahead.

Anyway, let's go!

A Heart-Shaped Box of OTPs: The Basic Set

1. Original Chocolate Heart - The OTP that started it all // Derek and Odette from The Swan Princess

For as long as I can remember, this has been my favorite couple. For my siblings and I, it was one of our favorite movies growing up -- so much so that we actually watched it about once a day for an entire summer one year. Derek and Odette are adorable when you're a kid, but you don't truly understand the depth of their relationship until you're an adult. And I feel like I'll have to save that for its own post one day.

Runner Up: Millie and Charles from A Life of Faith: Millie Keith

~*~

2. Dark Chocolate - The OTP with the most drama // Felix and Izzy from Road to Avonlea

Anyone who's seen this TV series knows this to be true. It took a lot, but this OTP finally got together. Their friendship as children was super sweet and fun, but I was super grateful when Felix finally got his act together and realized Izzy was the one for him.

Runner Up: Harold and Marian from The Music Man (1962)

~*~

3. Caramel Filled - The OTP that's simple and sweet // Kale and Bardon from The DragonKeeper Chronicles

I had way too many couples that fit this chocolate, but at length, I had to settle on Kale and Bardon. I think Kale's way of summing it up in DragonKnight says it best: Poor Bardon needs help discovering we're meant to be a couple, and I can't think of a better person to help him than me. 

Runner Up: Anne and Trask from The Ilyon Chronicles

~*~

4. Raspberry Chocolate - The forbidden-love OTP // Edward and Elinor from Sense and Sensibility

There never was a more forbidden love than this, IMHO. Even though we all hate Lucy's guts, you can't help but admire Edward for sticking to his word -- even if it meant losing the woman he truly loved in the process.

Runner Up: Anastasia and Dmitri from Anastasia

~*~

5. White Chocolate - The odd OTP you still somehow manage to love // James and Sarah from Liberty's Kids

Odd, but super sweet. Ever since their awkward first meeting, I knew James and Sarah would do great together. He's got a lot of bravado, she's got a lot of brains, and between the two of them they've got a lot of spunk. I know the series didn't end with them officially off to their happily ever after, but we all know it's coming. It's just a shame more people don't know about them.

~*~

6. Peanut Butter Chocolate - The OTP everybody and their sisters ship // Rapunzel and Eugene from Tangled

HOW COULD I NOT INCLUDE THEM? They are pretty amazing. And they're perfect together. Probably the largest fandom ever ship I'm proud to get behind.

Runner Up: Hiccup and Astrid from How to Train Your Dragon

~*~

7. Cherry-Filled - The OTP that you fear no one knows about // Arrietty and Spiller from The Borrowers 

Confession: I've not actually read Mary Norton's books, so this is solely based on their interaction together in the 1992-93 BBC miniseries in which they are absolutely adorable. And it's awful... since when you ask someone if they've seen The Borrowers, they go: "Oh, the one with John Goodman?" To which you're compelled to respond: "No, the good one."

Runner Up: // Carliss and Daulton from The Knights of Arrethtrae

~*~

8. Chocolate with Almonds - The fun and nutty OTP // Walter and Ashley from Dragons in Our Midst/Oracles of Fire

Walter's proposal scene is probably one of my favorite proposals of all time. These two are super cute, and I'll admit I didn't call this when they first met, but I loved seeing how their relationship grew.

~*~

9. Chocolate with Coconut - The OTP who came from different backgrounds // Mary and Gavin/White Hawk from The Island Trilogy

Mary's a fiery redhead who stashes cows in the house to hide them from Redcoats, and Gavin is her Indian friend. I can't recall how many times I read this trilogy growing up, and I still cheered when they got together.

Runner Up: Phoebus and Esmeralda from The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Disney 1996)

~*~

10. Mint Chocolate - The OTP you'll love until you die // Caroline and Charles from The Caroline Years/Little House series

I'll admit -- this isn't exactly a fictional couple, but I still think they deserve a spot on this list. I really loved the sweet way they were portrayed in the Caroline books, and I haven't a qualm about going down with this ship.

~*~

A Heart-Shaped Box of OTPs: The Extended Edition

11. Orange Creme - The OTP you never expected to love // Perrin and Zarine/Faile from The Wheel of Time

Once I figured out they were perfect for each other, I shipped these two HARD. But I didn't catch on that Jordan was setting them up to be a couple at first. To be honest, it surprised me, and it surprised me how much I loved them.

Runner Up: Jorgen and Odette from The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest

~*~

12. Salted Caramel - The OTP who worked the most on their relationship // Bella and John from Our Mutual Friend

Bella began as a mercenary bride, but John never gave up on her -- even when she thought he was dead. That's Dickens for you, and I love these two to pieces.

Runner Up: Emma and George Knightley from Emma

~*~

13. Chocolate Covered Raisins - The young OTP you know will work out one day // Janner and Sara from The Wingfeather Saga

I wish Janner and Sara got more attention. We're a small fandom, but proud. I know Janner's busy trying to protect his siblings and help his younger brother be a good king and all, but I know he and Sara will work things out one day. Not that I'm bitter or anything about Andrew Peterson not giving us the story of when they all grew up. Not at all.

Runner Up: Felicity and Ben from Felicity Merriman (American Girl)

~*~

14. Chocolate Jalapeño - The OTP that can't be together but you ship it anyways // Wendy and Peter Pan from Peter Pan

It would destroy Peter Pan as we know and love him if this happened, but who doesn't ship them?

~*~

15. Ferrero Rocher - The best dressed/best looking OTP // Faramir and Eowyn from The Lord of the Rings

I do believe I'm being unfair assigning Faramir and Eowyn to this chocolate. But they are an amazing couple, and I love their outfits, so I'm not apologizing.

~*~

16. Chocolate Covered Coffee Bean - The energetic OTP that keeps you on your toes // Shasta and Aravis from The Horse and His Boy

I don't think this one requires explanation. Long live this ship!

Runner Up: Cat Thorne and Anne Ross from Pirate Adventures

~*~

17. Chocolate Dipped Strawberry - The OTP that's just absolutely adorable // Florence and Walter from Dombey and Son

Yes, another Dickens couple. And yes, I believe they're underappreciated. Their romance is pretty much the definition of adorable.

Runner Up: Daisy and Nat from Little Men/Jo's Boys

~*~

18. Chocolate with Nougat - The OTP full of fluff and nonsense // Taran and Eilonwy from The Prydain Chronicles

Fluff and nonsense and super sweet and adventurous, but with a serious relationship. What more could you ask for?

Runner Up:  Alfie and Minnie from Lark Rise to Candleford

~*~

19. Chocolate with Walnuts - The OTP with the bumpiest relationship // Gus and Felicity from Road to Avonlea

If Felix and Izzy win the most drama title, Gus and Felicity definitely win the bumpiest relationship (which, now that I'm thinking about it, is almost the same thing). I rooted for Gus ever since he first kissed Felicity and told her, "Better than kissing my dog!" Together, fighting, engaged, separate... all the bumps. Felicity was amazing in the later seasons (and much less annoying) as she studied to be a doctor and then still cared for Gus after he went blind. *tears* If that's not true love, I don't know what is.

Runner Up: Eric and Robin from The Bookania Quests

~*~

20. Chocolate Butterscotch - The OTP with the best banter // Raoden and Sarene from Elantris

Now, I've got a lot of couples that banter. I love me some good banter. But I think my current favorite is Raoden and Sarene. Sarene has wit and cleverness on her side, which makes for an epic heroine, but I love how Raoden can just one-up her without really thinking about it.

~*~

Congratulations for making it to the end of the post! That was much longer than I expected. But full of all the loveliest OTPs.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go put my daughter down for a nap and go find some chocolate.

God bless!

A Heart-Shaped Box of OTPs Tag

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, the whole world is thinking about love. And chocolate. Because Valentine's Day and chocolate basically are the world's next OTP after peanut butter and jelly. Just saying. It's a well-known truth that February 15th is the nation's second favorite shopping day after Black Friday.

Anyway, to help celebrate Valentine's Day this year, I'm taking love and chocolate and creating a small tag to showcase your favorite OTPs. I mean, because we all want an excuse to talk about our OTPs more. And this is your perfect excuse -- just in time for Valentine's Day! Could the timing be any more perfect?

If you're unfamiliar with the term OTP, it stands for "one true pairing." That's basically understood to be your favorite couple, that pair that embodies the meaning of love, that man and woman who are meant to be together for all eternity, that couple you passionately ship, etc.

But here's the deal: we've got TWO (2) tags below. 

So, pay attention.

The first set of 10 questions is your basic, standard, sweetness package. The tale-as-old-as-time, classic bundle. If you're looking for something a bit quicker, something familiar, feel free to just answer the first ten questions.

The second set of 10 questions is an add-on to your basic set, making it 20 questions altogether. They're what I call the "Extended Edition" since they incorporate more than just your typical box of chocolates. If you're up for something a bit bigger, something a bit exotic, tack those on to your basic set with no extra charge. It's completely up to you.

(The Extended Edition may or may not have been born out of a chocoholic splurge when I couldn't limit my candies to just 10 pieces.)

Rules?

Oh, they're quite simple. Fill out the tag according to your personal OTP preferences on your own blog (or in the comments below). Couples can be from books, movies, TV shows, whatever. For the sake of privacy, please do not include real-life ships, merely fictional ones. Then add your link below so others can enjoy your answers! Sharing any pictures/banners is not mandatory, but it'll add a nice visual touch to your post.

Enjoy!

~*~

A Heart-Shaped Box of OTPs: The Basic Set

1. Original Chocolate Heart - The OTP that started it all

2. Dark Chocolate - The OTP with the most drama

3. Caramel Filled - The OTP that's simple and sweet

4. Raspberry Chocolate - The forbidden-love OTP

5. White Chocolate - The odd OTP you still somehow manage to love

6. Peanut Butter Chocolate - The OTP everybody and their sisters ship

7. Cherry-Filled - The OTP that you fear no one knows about

8. Chocolate with Almonds - The fun and nutty OTP

9. Chocolate with Coconut - The OTP who came from different backgrounds

10. Mint Chocolate - The OTP you'll love until you die

~*~

A Heart-Shaped Box of OTPs: The Extended Edition

11. Orange Creme - The OTP you never expected to love

12. Salted Caramel - The OTP who worked the most on their relationship

13. Chocolate Covered Raisins - The young OTP you know will work out one day

14. Chocolate Jalapeño - The OTP that can't be together but you ship it anyways

15. Ferrero Rocher - The best dressed/best looking OTP

16. Chocolate Covered Coffee Bean - The energetic OTP that keeps you on your toes

17. Chocolate Dipped Strawberry - The OTP that's just absolutely adorable

18. Chocolate with Nougat - The OTP full of fluff and nonsense

19. Chocolate with Walnuts - The OTP with the bumpiest relationship

20. Chocolate Butterscotch - The OTP with the best banter

~*~

Please link below once you've completed shipping, er, I mean, posting! The link-up here will remain open until the last day of February, so get busy!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

God bless!

The Adventure Continues...

This is the (long overdue) story of how I lost my boyfriend. 

But don't worry! This is actually a very fun story, and the truth is - it's not all mine. It's only half mine.

After coming through a rather long and complicated process which brought me to dating the most wonderful guy on the planet, I spent 15 happy months calling him my boyfriend (In case you forgot, I'm talking about Jed/Jonathon). It was a busy time, considering we were both still in school, but it was tons of fun. We double-dated a few times with some friends and also attended a few events on campus together, but we never had an official, just-us-off-campus date. Not one real date in 15 months. Jed's work and the importance of homework made it difficult for us to go off-campus together, so we'd allowed 15 months to slip by before we realized we'd never really had a first date together. 

Jed decided to fix this. "Let's have lunch some Saturday," he suggested. "We'll go off-campus, just the two of us, and bring a picnic to the park." 

I liked the idea. After a long and stressful week of school, I needed a break. In one of my classes, I had a group project the size of Chicago looming over me, and while I had amazing team members (astonishing, yes, for a group project), we were presenting a month's worth of research, collaboration, and brain power the following Tuesday. Was I nervous?

You bet. A lunch date was just the thing to get my brain to relax... if only for a little bit. 

Jed picked the Saturday, and we began to make simple lunch plans. I warned him that I had a project meeting with my group at 12:30pm, but I didn't think it would be too much of an issue to get back by that time. 

I should have suspected something fishy was up when Jed picked me up wearing a blue shirt. Most of his t-shirts (for whatever reason) are bright red, and (outside of his work uniform) he doesn't typically wear any other color. He's just a guy who likes red. Several weeks previous to this particular Saturday, he had put on a dark blue shirt and I had commented that I really liked him in blue. And apparently he had remembered that. Well, in addition to the blue shirt, he'd shaved (which he never does on a Saturday) and was wearing his good sneakers (the ones without the holes). I was impressed, but I figured he wanted to look good for our first real date. 

Me, on the other hand... well, I didn't dress up. I'd stumbled out of bed that morning and didn't feel like doing anything extravagant. So, I stuck on a comfy blue t-shirt and a pair of jean capris. It was rather warm outside, so I had a pair of flip-flops complete the ensemble. 

I was probably more interested in the food Jed had picked up for our date lunch more than the clothes we were wearing. If there is any truth that is more universally acknowledged than that of a single man in want of a wife, it is that hungry men should never go shopping. Hello, proud new owner of aisle 4. 

"I got some meat and a jar of pickles for you," Jed told me. 

Pickles are amazing. Seriously. Pick up one of those big jars of whole dill pickles from Walmart and my brother and I could down it in one day. Needless to say, I was rather excited about that. A whole, big wonderful jar of dill pickles. I had the best boyfriend ever.

But the meat? Jed's "some meat" turned out to be a bag of pepperonis, a summer sausage, and a package of black forest ham lunch meat. If that isn't the definition of a hungry man going shopping, I don't know what is. 

So, armed with our pickles and "some meat" we drove off to the park. To be honest, I had quite a few curious stares as I walked through park carrying a gigantic jar of pickles, but I just smiled back. 

Jed picked a spot by a small waterfall, and we set up the blanket and got the lunch out. I ate a small handful of pepperonis before Jed offered me a pickle. Boy howdy, was that thing good! Even though there was a full jar sitting beside me, I was determined to enjoy that pickle as long as possible. 

I ate it very slowly. 

Jed, on the other hand, ate pepperonis and pickles so quickly I thought he might get indigestion. I'm not sure how much he'd eaten when he finally stopped and looked at me. I was still munching on my pickle, content to savor it. It was the first time in about three weeks that I had gotten to just sit with him and talk and have fun. Forget the meeting I had at 12:30. I wanted to make this moment last as long as possible.

Jed, however, did not want it to last as long as possible. 

"Aren't you almost done yet?" he asked. "You eat pickles really slowly."

I only grinned and took another small nibble. Yes, I am a rebel at heart. 

"I wanted to give you something," he continued, and I must confess my heart jumped at that point. My first thought was, Is it a ring? But I quickly stomped down on that. 

Of course it wasn't a ring. He couldn't give me a ring yet. Neither one of us wanted to be engaged for longer than six months, and the earliest possibility for a wedding that we had discussed was in December of this year. It was still April. April 22nd, as a matter of fact. Do the math, folks. April to December isn't 6 months - no matter how you stretch it. Did I want a ring? I'd known for a solid 10 months that this was the guy I wanted to marry. Duh. But there was no way I was getting a ring until at least June. 

Calming my racing heart by taking another bite of pickle, I watched him reach into his backpack. Then I started laughing. 

My freshman year of college I had begun an odd collection of lost bobby pins. See, the poor fellows were abandoned and lost in every place conceivable. I used to watch for them on the sidewalks and try to see how many lost bobby pins I could spot in one day until I gave that up and began picking them up instead. A few of my friends caught the excitement, and they began collecting them for me. Three years later, we'd collected over 1,000 bobby pins from everywhere on campus (and off campus). Jed works on the custodial crew here at the university, so he'd come across zillions of bobby pins every day. Before he told me that he liked me, he would pick up bobby pins and stow them in his wallet. Then he'd give me one or two at a time, using them as an excuse to come over and see me at almost every meal. Bobby pins, since then, have become a natural part of our relationship. 

Now, Jed was pulling a small Starbucks frappuccino jar from the dark depths of his backpack - and the jar was full of bobby pins. 

(Sidenote: I don't wear the lost bobby pins we pick up. Bobby pins have never EVER stayed in my hair, so I've never truly ever bothered with them. I just call myself the bobby pin kleptomaniac, and it's a race to see how many I can find before I graduate college.) 

I admired the newest additions to my collection, and we talked for a bit about former bobby pins we'd picked up. Sweet reminiscence. And before I knew it, I had finished my pickle. 

Abruptly, he stood up. 

I looked up at him, confused. "Where are you going? We're not done eating yet." 

"I need you to do something for me."

"Sure. As long as it doesn't involve moving."

"Stand up."

I grimaced. Standing involved moving. "Do I have to?"

"Yes."

With some grumblings, I stood. "Now what?"

"Look at the falls," he said. "And don't turn around."

Ladies and gents, everything in me started going nuts all at once. What in the world is going on? There were way too many thoughts all at once, and I think my brain almost exploded. 

Then Jed walked up behind me and began whistling. 

The world stopped, but my heart was beating so hard I couldn't hear the roar of the falls over top of it. 

Now, a normal girl probably wouldn't react that way to a song being whistled. Jed often whistled as he walked, and I loved hearing it. It wasn't the fact that he was whistling that got me in a tizzy.

It was what he was whistling. 

Near the beginning of the year, I had mentioned to him that I loved the song "For the Dancing and the Dreaming" from HTTYD 2. It was just a really sweet song, and the lyrics absolutely made it. For those of you unfamiliar with this song, please click here. It's worth the 3 minutes. 

And because the lyrics are so beautiful, I'm going to post the last refrain here:

I’ll swim and sail on savage seas

With ne'er a fear of drowning,

And gladly ride the waves of life,

If you will marry me.

Jed was whistling that song. And then he jumped right into singing it to me - just as Stoick did to Valka. 

I couldn't believe it. No matter that Jed abruptly forgot the second word of the song as soon as he started singing. I sang with him, inside going mad the whole time. And somehow between the two of us, we managed it all right. 

But it was perfect. The first date, the pickles, the "some meat," the waterfall, the song. If I had picked out how I wanted to be proposed to, this would have been it. The song literally ends with a proposal!

I was so mad at him.

Did I need to remind him that it was still April?? December wasn't 6 months away yet! Outwardly, I was thoroughly enjoying the entire afternoon, but internally I was a mess. 

How can you do this to me? I fumed. It's too perfect a set-up. Jed, don't you dare propose and make me say no! I won't say how tempted I was to push him over the falls. I wanted so badly to turn around, face him, and tell him to stop. 

Jed finished the song. "Kirsten..." 

I couldn't help it. I turned around.

And he was on one knee with a box in his hand. 

"Will you marry me?"

My mind barely registered the silver glint in the box before I yelped out, "You don't have a date yet! What's the date?"

He only smiled. "June 24th." 

If the world had stopped before, now it simply exploded. June 24th??? As in NOT December?? As in JUNE?? 

I was thoroughly speechless, but I managed to squeak a little bit of voice out. I don't know if Jed heard it or not, but I think he could read the answer in my over-enthusiastic smile. 

"Yes."

And that's how I lost my boyfriend. But I gained a fiancé. And I think that's so much better in so many ways. 

God bless!

It Was For Me

{A post by Yours Truly}

Many, many years ago, a tiny cry was heard echoing against rough stone walls. A baby's cry, an infant barely hours old, innocent, tiny, and fragile. His mother shushed him gently, wrapping him as warmly as she could in a small, thin cloth. Nearby, the father kept a steady watch, his gaze claimed by a bright light streaming from the heavens. A cold wind whipped about him, chilling the air and dancing across the furry noses of the animals present. Yet, the mother saw and felt none of this. Her whole being was wrapped up in the wonder of the small bundle she held in her arms, the son she had been promised.

It was thirty-three years later that the same mother looked once again on the face of the son that had been given her, yet this time the wonder of the miracle was gone. In its place on her face stood pain and sorrow as she beheld him, bent and bloody, nailed to a rough piece of wood standing on a hill. For all to see and jeer at. For all to mock and spit upon. Her tears were bitter, wishing to spare him from his suffering, yet she knew there was nothing she could do. He had taken upon himself the pain he now bore, and it was of his own free will that his blood ran like water onto the ground. He could have walked away; this she knew. But he had chosen to die in such a manner, to accept the punishment that was so justly deserved by others. He had done nothing, and yet he was killed as if he was the most despicable criminal. 

I'm sure that many of you know the story I'm trying to relate, and those that do know how it ends. The Son that was given did die, His blood was shed, He bore the cruelest of sufferings, but He did not stay dead. The Almighty God raised Him from the dead three days later, and now the Son sits on God's right hand. That Son was Jesus Christ. God sent Him to earth to bear the sins of the world, and Christ came as a spotless sacrifice, One equal with God in the splendor of Heaven who denied His own comforts to live as a man. He did no evil, yet the earth despised Him, and so He was beaten and nailed to a cross. 

But the world knew not what it did, for in His death, Jesus made possible a way of salvation. The people of this world are sinful, and their sin is something God cannot look upon; and because of their sin, they must be cast out into darkness. Yet, through the sacrifice that was the death of the perfect Son of God, there can be redemption. The blood of Jesus can cover the sins of any who ask, and He waits now to offer His holy robes for the sin-spotted garments of those who seek His face.

But what does this have to do with true love, you ask? How can this possibly be relevant to Valentine's Day?

For the Dear Love party this week, I presented a number of guest posts on the topic of love. We've read about the importance of following God, the blessing of praying for your future husband, the joy of being content in our current situation, and so much more. Even though some of us may long for husbands, houses, and families right now, we are striving to sacrifice those desires to become the godly girls that God wants us to be before all of that. And that's what true love is: sacrifice. True loves sees not its own wants, but the needs of others. True love is a desire to be of use to those loved, with no thought of recompense. 

But no man can love you more than Jesus Christ. He paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. By giving His life for us, He gave us a chance for salvation. He had no thought for Himself, yet He loved you so much that He was willing to die so that you could receive all the benefit. He died so that you might live. 

And that's true love. 

It was for me He died, for me, He cried.

For me He shed His blood upon the tree.

It was for me He came, for me, His shame.

For me, oh praise His name, it was for me.

God bless!

Pure In The Little Things

{A post by Yours Truly}

This has been a topic long on my mind and in my prayers. For months now, I've been working on drafts of this post, and I couldn't quite seem to grasp the right words. It is a blunt topic, even given in love, but one that we, I myself greatly included, need to hear. 

I'm sure that most (if not all) of you are familiar with the term fangirling. 

The definition of "fangirl" via Pinterest 

Fangirling is simply something we pass the time with by pinning pictures, writing blog posts, emailing, having fun imagining conversations and situations, feeling our hearts go pitter-patter, etc. We create fandoms and fall in love with them so much that we're willing to do whatever possible to further their growth. We squee and gasp and facepalm and shriek and drool. 

Thank you, Sully, for the demonstration.

That's what a fangirl does. It's fun! We're nuts, and we love it! But while fangirling itself is, on the surface, a harmless pastime, it's sadly the gateway to bad things. 

Please note that I'm not entirely bashing fangirling altogether; there's just a certain type of fangirling that needs to be brought to light.

And that's the fangirling that revolves around men, actors for the most part. They play in films/shows/whatever and they bring our fandoms to life. What's wrong with that? Nothing. It's when we allow ourselves to become deeply obsessed when we start treading on dangerous territory.

When we fangirl over a picture of our favorite actor and imagine a dream wedding with him at the end of the aisle, we just gave a piece of our heart to him. When we drool over his bulging muscles and plan our kids' names, we are no longer keeping our hearts whole. With each new picture and actor and fandom, our affection grows, and our hearts we give away in tiny pieces to each new obsession. And what will we have left to offer our husbands when we spent our waiting years by handing off pieces of our hearts to different actors in the name of fangirling? That's when fangirling no longer *is* real fangirling. 

That's when it becomes lust. And we have fallen into impurity.


As Christian girls, purity is something that we claim to be of great importance. Keeping our heart solely reserved for one man is our desire. We pray about it with our parents, we pin great purity quotes on Pinterest, we email each other with encouragement. Our lives are sheltered under our parents' roofs, and we are confident nothing can compromise us. 

Yet, purity involves so much more than that. God says, He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. (Luke 16:10) We're so preoccupied with the big picture of purity that we don't realize that we might be failing in the little things. Even in as something as small as fangirling. 

Purity is keeping yourself wholly for our husbands. For one man. And that includes keeping our hearts, minds, and souls pure. Let's not give away pieces of our hearts to strange men; let's be careful with our obsessions. Let's not hand the leftover crumbles of our hearts to our husbands. Let's keep our hearts pure and WHOLE for the one man God has for us. 

Let's be pure in the little things.

God bless!

The Giveaway, The Tag, And The Valentines

Jessica Greyson and Katherine Sophia are hosting a Book Lover Giveaway, in which 15, read it: FIFTEEN (!!!) dee-lightful, wonderful novels from amazing self-published authors make up the ultimate prize. And, of course, there's also the addition of a $5 Starbucks card and a booklight, but to me, that's trivial compared to FIFTEEN BOOKS! Go check it out now!

Oh, and before I forget, Jessica posted tag questions for all of us to answer, share, and all that good stuff... so, here's that. 

Yes, yes, I know. The shock! Tag questions became trivial... but, hey! FIFTEEN books!!

Anywho...

What book do you love but everyone else seems to hate (or dislike)? For some reason, I seem to think there are a lot of those... Ben-Hur, The Silmarillion, and most of the older classics. I know most of my friends will concur with me and say they like them as much as I, but for the general populace, the older classics are just that... old. It's the old part of it that makes me love them so.

What book does everyone else seem to love, but you just can’t get into? Most new-ish fiction. Entwined, The Goose Girl, and other books of that sort. They're... well, for a lack of a better word, shallow. The characters are superficial, and the dialogue is weak. I like stories with substance, and for most modern fiction, it just doesn't cut it for me.

Love in books—love or hate it? I don't mind it, but I despise the way the modern, average author protrays it. Love is so much more than ooh-it's-a-thrill-I-feel-it-he's-so-handsome, and that's the love we see so much in our world today. Yes, I know that I'm coming down rather hard on modern literature, but it's sad to see the state we have degraded to. No one appreciates good literature now, and that's a pet peeve of mine. I adore novels by Austen and Dickens, and for those who know those tales, romance is not a stranger to those pages. So, yes, I do like that kind of romance - Emma and Mr. Knightley, Bella Wilfur and John Harmon, Rose and Mac Campbell - those are *real* romances, relationships that are more than just a fleeting passion. The couples grew together and learned to love despite flaws. Mr. Knightley scolded and lectured the vain Emma, and she bore it like no other woman could have. John Harmon came home to marry a mercenary woman he'd never met, and he tested her before he let her know his true character and fortune. Mac Campbell thought of Rose only as his friend and cousin at first, yet as they grew closer, he was determined to show himself worthy of her. Love is a self-sacrificing desire to meet the needs of the one loved; it's not a cheap show that can be bought and sold at the expense of others. And this is officially a huge answer for this question... but I do have some pretty opinioned thoughts on the topic of love. One reason why I'm holding the Dear Love Valentine Party (to which I invite you all!). Moving on...

What is your favorite friendship/brotherhood/sisterhood in a book? One of my favorite friendships would have to be the relationship between Gimli and Legolas in The Lord of the Rings. And if you need a "why" on that, I'd suggest you read this post, for I did talk about it a bit there.

Do you “ship” couple when you read? What are some of your favorite ships—that sailed or didn’t? Shipping, shipping... my thoughts on shipping. Well, honestly, I don't normally "ship" people the way most readers do. I love reading, but I don't entangle my life and my happiness to be hinged on the lives and happiness of fictional characters. I hate to say it, but that's the truth. However, that does not mean that I have opinions about the aforementioned characters. I do occasionally feel that two characters belong together, and on that note, to be fair to the question, some of my favorite "ships" would be... oh, gracious, I shall have to think about this... ships that sailed... Eowyn and Faramir (LOTR), Bardon and Kale (DragonKeeper Chronicles), Caroline Tucker and Charles Ingalls (I always loved the Caroline books WAY better than Laura, and yes, I know they're not fictional), Shasta and Aravis (The Horse and His Boy), and John and Bella (Our Mutual Friend). Ships that didn't... umm... probably Dan and Bess (Jo's Boys), Peter Pan and Wendy (who didn't?), and Arrietty and Spiller (The Borrowers; 'tis a pity that Mary Norton cut off the series so abruptly). 

Do you still exchange Valentines? Not necessarily; I mean my little sisters sometimes enjoy making Valentines for each other, and when they do make them, it's impossible not to join them, but generally, we don't do much in the way of Valentines. And they are rather dangerous things... just look at poor Cranford in the hands of the ruthless Jack Marshland.

Your favorite Valentine gift, chocolate, flowers or something else? Chocolate, dark, milk, white—other? Hmm.... I'm allergic to chocolate and the smell of flowers gives me asthma... how 'bout a book? *grins*

Your personal views on Valentine’s day? Valentine's Day is a holiday like any other. It doesn't hold any particular special meaning for me, and while we kids usually try to set up a nice, formal dinner for my parents, we've never really celebrated Valentine's Day like the rest of the world. I'm not against it, but I'm happily single and loving being a part of my own family. I have absolutely no reason to despise or otherwise regret my present situation. This holiday isn't just about the mushy love between a boy and a girl, even though that's what everyone makes it out to be. And if I'm celebrating any love at all on the holiday itself, it's the love I share with my family. 

Favorite sweet Read? Umm.... let's say Rose In Bloom by Louisa May Alcott. Definitely a favorite.

Favorite fairytale and why? I know it's redundant, but Beauty and the Beast, because it's a tale that has more than just, "Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but you're incredibly handsome, so let's get married." Beauty and the Beast took the time to actually know each other before they even thought about falling in love. And that's not usual for a fairy tale. More about BatB here, if you're interested. Another less-known favorite is The Bremen Town Musicians. Why? Hello! It's about music! Sure, the "town musicians" are awful singers, but it's hilarious. You know, I once wrote a script based on that fairy tale... that was fun.

Favorite romantic gesture in a book? *insert Winnie the Pooh's voice* Think, think, think. I know there must be one, but I can't think of one off the top of my head. Umm... I would say Amy's overall treatment of Arthur Clennam, but I have yet to finish Little Dorrit, so that can't be entirely true. Probably Mr. Knightley's offering to make Hartfield his home for Emma just so that her father would feel at ease. There's not many a gentleman who would give up his own comforts to please his beloved's father. 

Do you have a favorite “romantic movie” for that you like to watch? Does period drama count? 'Cause that's about it. Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Bleak House, and all those wonderful stories. Ever After would be another.

Favorite Literary couple and why? Emma and Mr. Knightley... best friends and worst enemies at times, and they got married so as to continue on in the same manner. Almost. But that's pretty much what happened.

Favorite opinion about love from a Character? (like Jo in little woman...to her it was an awful idea).  I know this is where I'm to insert some hilarious thoughts of a small boy or girl determined never to engage in the sport of love, but frankly, none come straight to mind. In reality, I'm reminded greatly (not of the morning room at Maple Grove, of course) of a quote from everyone's favorite Elizabeth Bennet: "I am convinced that only the deepest sentiment of love would induce me into matrimony." 

Favorite quote about love? Love is not love when alters when it alteration finds, nor bends with the remover to remove. O, no! It is an ever-fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken. ~ These are some of my favorite words by Shakespeare, and I think it nails love on the head. True love doesn't change whenever it feels like it; true love doesn't fly away when trials beat about it; true love is forever.

~*~*~*~*~*~

And since Jessica is also holding a marvelous make-your-own-valentine contest, I thought I'd include my contribution here to keep the idea of Valentine's Day going in this post. The theme for this contest is fairy tales, and in all truth, I could have made loads of valentines, but I did limit myself to three. I'd encourage you to enter! Go here to check out Jessica's post.

Inspiration: Aladdin

Inspiration: Sleeping Beauty

Inspiration: Rapunzel

(with a bit of The Princess Diaries)

And on another fun rabbit trail, I guest posted yesterday for Jessica and Katherine's party over at Seek Him First. Much fun, and I know you'll love the post. Please read. :)

God bless!

Far Longer Than Forever

With Valentine's Day being just around the corner, my thoughts concerning music have been turned more or less in the direction of love songs, and today when I saw that Meghan of Just As I Am was asking for some of our favorite love songs for part of her Single Ladies Blog Party... well, you know that I couldn't pass this one up. So, I'm posting.

All I Ask Of You

How is any list of love songs complete without the classic tune from The Phantom of the Opera? How much do I like this song? Well, let's just say that I have it entirely memorized on the piano, and leave it at that.

Are We Dancing?

This song is from one of my favorite movies The Happiest Millionaire. The tune is simple but elegant.

Beauty and the Beast

One of Disney's best songs, in my opinion. 

Cheek To Cheek

I have no idea what movie this song is from, but it's a fun song by Irving Berlin.

Far Longer Than Forever

From The Swan Princess. And yes, I am a fan of cheesy, little girl movies. How can I help it, when they have such beautiful music?

A Fine Romance

Ah, ha! Just my idea of a romance! Love the lyrics in this song!

Fireproof: Main Titles

Umm... instrumental pieces count, right? Even though my family doesn't listen to most of the music in Fireproof, the main titles are soft and hauntingly beautiful.

How Can Love Survive?

This fun song is from the Broadway version of The Sound of Music. Very epic.

I See the Light

Yup. From Tangled. 

If I Can't Love Her

From Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical. This song isn't included in the Disney film, but it really lends a lot to the character of the Beast.

If You Love Me For Me

Not so well-known song from Barbie as The Princess and the Pauper, yet beautiful in its own right.

Let Me Be Your Wings

I told you I liked cheesy, little girl movies, yes? Well, this is Thumbelina's love song.

The Princess Bride: Main Titles

Another instrumental. You should know this one.

Romantic Flight

Instrumental from HTTYD. I'm actually listening to it right now.

That's Amorè

I've only ever heard this one as it is sung on the Enchanted soundtrack. Oh, course, I change the words a bit: "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amorè. When the world seems to glow like there's way too much snow, that's amorè."

Thinking About Lizzy

Instrumental from Pride and Prejudice (1995). 

Throw the Coins

Instrumental from Sense and Sensibility (1995).

True Love's Kiss

Another one from Enchanted. No, I don't agree with the prevalent philosophy the lyrics promote, but it's a cute song, nonetheless.

I enjoy listening to all of these songs, and I'm sure most or some of you know them and enjoy them as well. But this isn't real love, people! This is what the world defines as love, the smushy, mushy, happy-feeling, pink heart, velvet roses kind of love. There is a greater love that most of us brush aside during this season of Valentines. What love is that? If you don't already know, I'm going to add one more favorite love song to my list. Do me a favor: read the lyrics and identify the real love.

“His robes for mine: O wonderful exchange!

Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered ‘neath God’s rage.

Draped in His righteousness, I’m justified.

In Christ I live, for in my place He died.

Chorus:

“I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:

Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.

Bought by such love, my life is not my own.

My praise-my all-shall be for Christ alone.

“His robes for mine: what cause have I for dread?

God’s daunting Law Christ mastered in my stead.

Faultless I stand with righteous works not mine,

Saved by my Lord’s vicarious death and life.

“His robes for mine: God’s justice is appeased.

Jesus is crushed, and thus the Father’s pleased.

Christ drank God’s wrath on sin, then cried “‘Tis done!”

Sin’s wage is paid; propitiation won.

“His robes for mine: such anguish none can know.

Christ, God’s beloved, condemned as though His foe.

He, as though I, accursed and left alone;

I, as though He, embraced and welcomed home!”

That's real love.

God bless!