To the Newlywed Wife: Why Not to Watch The Parent Trap

Okay, okay, I know this title sounds crazy. Until about 30 minutes ago, I would have thought so to. Nevertheless, it is true. I could hardly wait to watch The Parent Trap with Justin tonight. He had never seen it, how much fun, yay! As if! We are not even half way through the movie and at least twice I have been brought to the brink of tears. As a child, I loved this movie. My family and I watched it all of the time and I loved the great story, beautiful sceneries, and some of my favorite actors. The problem tonight...I miss my parents.

There hasn't been even a second where I have regretted marrying Justin. I love the life that we have and this love that seems to overwhelm us on a daily basis. I have come to realize though that marriage & love for my husband does not dispense or cause you to forget the love that you have ALWAYS known. You find yourself missing the hugs and smiles and just everyday peaceful moments filled with the most random, wonderful, comforting moments that you know with them from the first second of your life until the minute you say "I do".

Remember the scene in The Parent Trap where Hallie runs up the stairs to meet her mother for the first time? Now obviously I don't remember the very first time I saw my mother, but I do know what it is now to miss my mother; to feel as though I have gone too long without her and worry over the next time I will be able to see her. I do know that wonderful moment when I find myself being wrapped in her hug for the first time in a while. I feel her wedding ring pressed into my shoulder as she hugs me, and I inhale the warm, sweet perfume that I've always known her to wear. Her beautiful blonde hair seems to glow even in the warmly lit room and I am just so grateful to see her smiling for real; in front of me again rather than simply in memory.

My mother has the prettiest white pajamas. I want some so badly!

Remember the scene where Hallie quietly explores her mother's room, grasping desperately for the glimpse of her mother she has so longed to know and wants so much to remember? Well, I used to watch that scene and think how beautiful the room was, how fragile and delicate the perfume bottles were, how elegant and nice her mother looked. I spent years afterwards looking at my own mother's perfume bottles and thinking the exact same thing. Mommy always had such an elegance about her and still does. She can cook up a storm, be covered in paint, prick her fingers with sewing needles & still look so soft and gentle. She looks as pretty in her jeans and tee shirts as she does in her heels and dress shirts. She makes everyone else pale in comparison simply because of all that she overcomes in the end. It doesn't matter how bad our days ever went or how mean someone was to us. My mother was and is the one woman I can count on to call things what they are, and yet remind me to be fair and strong at the same time. There are no games with her- just love and that overwhelms all else.

Now, remember the scene where Annie meets her dad after getting off the plane? Again, I don't remember the first moment I met Daddy, but my mother sure did tell me enough stories about it. So okay it wasn't our first meeting, but it was our first "conversation" of sorts. I was only a few hours old, and as if being a daddy wasn't overwhelming enough the whole daddy/daughter thing definitely surprised Daddy more that day. (Some bobo told men years ago that little girls are no fun.) Well, Daddy apparently wanted to decide for himself just what he thought of me. My mother woke up to find me missing from my hospital crib and being held by Daddy. She said we were both staring straight into each others eyes (yep, he was holding me right in front of him). She said she knew right then that we loved each other. *Note- I then spent the next 5 years showing him how great girls can be. My sister then came along to show him how much more fun girls can be. Then our brother came along to secure the fact that sons can be pretty awesome. :)* Y'all that story about brings me to tears because if I think about it he always did have a way with silence with me. It wasn't just what he said as what he did or the faces he made while thinking. Anyway, back to topic, I miss that. I miss seeing him and hugging him every day. I miss riding out to his work with dinners sometimes and feeling plum special because I was his daughter and I was proud of him. When Justin and I go visit them now, I love being wrapped into one of his hugs. I love how I feel as loved as ever. I love that extra squeeze when we see each other and that final one just before we go- almost as if he is trying to give me just a little more to hang on to until the next time.

All of this to say, if you are newly married and still adjusting to life without the presence of your parents do not watch this film unless tissues are near by. It's still a cute movie and the nostalgia is great. Still, unless you are seeing your parents tomorrow don't torture yourself. It will only make you want to drive the distance for a hug, steal a bottle of your mother's perfume, and then you will have to explain to your surprised parents (who thought you old enough and mature enough to marry in the first place) that your flowing tears began when you started watching The Parent Trap 45 minutes ago. Better yet, just suggest watching it next movie night at their house. It's probably much safer that way. :) What about you, any emotional movies for you?

P.S. If you are looking for something cheery to do, please take a minute to visit my Operation Christmas Card page. The contest is still open to participate!