Holding out for my modern-day Colonel Brandon

If you haven't seen the movie or read the book Sense and Sensibility you are missing out!(That includes you, Amber).

Not only is Jane Austen a genius of a writer, but the movie/book is almost a window to my heart.


Lets have a recap shall we? I won't get into too many details, don't you worry. Marianne and Elinor Dashwood are sisters. Marianne is the middle daughter and she is very romantic. Elinor is the oldest and is very practical. Marianne falls madly in love with John Willoughby. He's young, dashing, charming and all of those other British adjectives. Marianne ignores the love-struck Colonel Brandon who is not as handsome or dashing, but he is good, kind, and a little old.

As the story goes, we learn that John Willoughby is a scoundrel. Although he is in love with Marianne Dashwood he has to marry some rich chick because he lost his inheritance. Marianne is crushed, of course. However, time does heal her wound and she rediscovers Colonel Brandon. Ahhh...and then she falls in love with him for the good, loyal, gentle and constant man he is.

So, I am a little biased towards Colonel Brandon, if you couldn't tell. But I think my bias stems from knowing too many John Willoughbys. No, none of these "Johns" have asked me to marry them and then left me for some richie rich. However, I think that I often get caught in the Willoughby trap where I meet someone who is attentive and nice and makes me feel good about myself. In the end I find myself feeling second best, ignored, and not really cared for in the way that I deserve (and I have vented about this before).

I want someone who is loyal and loves me best. I want someone who notices the things I do and the things I say. I want someone like Moroni (as described in Alma 48...I know, I can't deny my Moroni crush). I want someone to remember what I tell them, to pick me up when I fall (metaphorically speaking...and literally). I want someone who cares for me. I want someone who will do anything for me and for anyone else because he is just that nice.

Maybe I am too idealistic. Who knows, you married people may be gawking and laughing at this very honest post at this moment. But I know someone like that exists...maybe he doesn't have the checklist but he will come close I think. I realize that I too have to be willing to open my heart to someone like that even if, at first, he is not my supposed ideal.

What I am trying to say is that I am not willing to settle for any John Willoughby's in disguise. No, no. I am holding out for my modern-day Colonel Brandon. I deserve it. I deserve someone that good...wow...this is a true confession of singlehood.

Though I do not know where he is or who he is or when I will meet him, the wait will be worth it.

Any takers?