OK, so maybe they just said it for dramatic effect, because “happy for now,” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
When we see those enchanting words splashed across the screen, it almost seems like the movie has been cut short. Sure, they’re happy at the moment, but we can’t help but wonder what will happen after the credits roll and the screen fades to black.
CUI's Kristy Gustafson discusses the realization that life is not like a Disney movie and is the such a thing a happily ever after. (CU Independent/Josh Shettler)
It’s improbable that the seemingly perfect couple is going to stay this joyful and lovey-dovey down the road, even after they get married and have kids — dream on.
Sadly, fairy tales only give us one piece of the puzzle. They can’t really expect us to believe that such happiness could last forever. After all, “ever after” is a long time.
We grow up watching films like these and then dress up like the characters for Halloween. We dream of the day when our Prince Charming will come sweep us off our feet.
But reality slaps us in the face when we realize we’re not Disney cartoon characters. With the exception of a few odd people, we don’t sing along to our day-to-day tasks. Woodland creatures don’t help us get dressed in the morning, and the sexiest guy at the ball doesn’t fall madly in love with one look into our eyes.
Don’t worry, when I made this realization, I was bummed too.
As we get older, we start to see the possibility that ambitions of finding true love and holding on to it forever are perhaps nothing more than a fantasy. We try to accept the fact that fairy tales and reality may never truly harmonize.
In fact, our world today seems like the farthest thing from a fairy tale. There’s evil, hatred and lust — and all the magic is slowly slipping away.
“Happily ever after” is quickly being replaced by “To Be Continued…” There is no destiny carved out in stone. The endings to our so-called modern fairy tales are instead becoming more unpredictable by the second: “Prince William and Kate Middleton: Royal Romance, But Will It Last?”
“Once upon a time” and “happy endings” are tragically fading away before our eyes. The magic we once revered with all our hearts is diminishing to nothing but dusty VCR tapes hidden behind the television.
Somehow, we need to rediscover what was once so prevalent in our lives.
We all want to believe in magic. We all want to believe in love. Maybe that’s why we’re so fond of fairy tales. Tangible or not, they help remind us there is at least some magic out there. It’s rare and it’s hidden, but it’s certainly there. However, the question still remains: is undying happiness between two people really plausible in today’s world?
There’s so much pressure in our society to find “the one.” It’s in the movies we watch, the stories we hear, but it’s sadly missing where we need it the most. We are so focused on finding the person we’re supposed to end up with that we ignore those who are right in front of us.
We need to stop these lifelong searches for Mr. and Mrs. Right, and instead open our eyes to Mr. and Mrs. Right Now.
We might not achieve our happy endings and experience love at first sight, but we’ll be happy for now, and that’s all that really matters. Now, cue those credits.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Kristy Gustafson at Kristy.gustafson@colorado.edu.
