Do You Want To Build A Snowman

I expected to like "Frozen". I didn't expect it to take my breath away.

First, it was freaking adorable. It was visually beautiful. The characters are awesome, flawed and likable. It had depth and love and pain and everything that a good movie has. The music is catchy in a good way. For the majority of the film, it was just a really good Disney movie.

And then there's this moment toward the end when they turn everything that you know about happily ever afters on its head.

The message that it sends to our young girls is just incredible. I keep thinking about how much I love that they broke the mold of fairy tales and gave us such a different moral to take with us. Life isn't only about romantic love.

If you haven't seen it yet, you aren't going to want to continue reading. Or do, but just know that it's going to ruin the ending of the movie.

Sisters. Sisters who have not seen eye to eye for most of their lives and who have endured more pain than 100 people should have to. Sure, they're royalty and they're special for like 1,000 other reasons, but they're really just sisters.

And at the end of the movie, when you're waiting for the knight on his white horse (or reindeer) to save the day because that's just what always happens, they save themselves before he gets there. Because this love story isn't about the man. THE MAN DOESN'T SAVE THE DAY. He doesn't need to. They save themselves. Girls of the world, you can rely on someone other than a man to save the day. You can rely on yourself, and, if you're lucky and strive to be genuine, you will surround yourself with people who will swoop in when you desperately need them.

This is not about man-hating or how men aren't necessary. The gender of the love interest doesn't matter. I have called on my husband to save the day many a time before, but only after I spent some time alone realizing how powerful I am without a romantic counterpart to fill my existence. It isn't about finding the man or woman. Romantic love doesn't always save the day. You don't need to be saved by a knight in shining armor. There are other amazing kinds of love in this world that fill you in a different but equally powerful way. Build real relationships with people whenever you can. Find good people to fill your life with, and don't be scared to be picky about who they are.

It isn't about the man. You are not powerless. You are more powerful than you realize. Your fairy tale doesn't begin or end with love. It begins and continues with you.

And if you don't see wonderful people around you who can bail you out when necessary, let me know. I can point you in their direction.

Thanks, Frozen.


As always, it's hip to be square (and fierce!), kids.