Have you ever rewatched a movie and really watched it? I’m guilty of turning something, anything familiar, on while I knit or fold laundry just to have it on in the background, and not really pay attention. But tonight I was craving an oldie and decided my girls could watch with. I chose Sleepless in Seattle. I have it on VHS, of all formats, because it was 10 cents at the thrift shop and I happen to have not one, but TWO working VHS players, because I can’t risk not having a working one.
I told the girls that it was a romantic comedy and they had no clue what that meant. As typical for a 1990 film, it’s rated PG but would definitely classify as PG-13 today. Most innuendoes went right over Louise’s head and Ainsley shot me knowing looks at least 4 times.
I LOVE 90’s rom coms. Favorites include, It Could Happen to You, Only You, You’ve Got Mail, One Fine Day, While You Were Sleeping, French Kiss. I could truly watch them over and over again. But tonight I really watched. Saw how Meg Ryan slayed in swept back casual updos and oversized floor length frocks. How Tom Hanks was SO DAMN RELATABLE when he snuggled his son and talked to a completel stranger therapist on the radio about how perfect his dead wife was. I cried at new parts. I nearly sobbed, not when Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks finally met, but when Sam ran frantically out of the Empire State Building Elevator to find his son Jonah who had somehow (pre- 9/11) flown solo from Seattle to New York in search of the perfect new mother, Annie.
I married a film snob. Ian would be the first to admit he loves a good rotten tomatoes rating and subtitles. I can do that. I can appreciate a great film. I can also think great films come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes rewatching an old favorite just feeds your soul. It’s like going back to a familiar coffee shop on vacation or that same study space in college. It fits, and feels so good.
This fall we don’t have much time for movies. Two of my children need to be awoken at 6 for school and one has dance 8 hours a week. I feel overwhelmed and so grateful all at once. I discovered a new trick this past week. I try to put myself in my kids shoes. How excited are they for TWO SPORTS AT ONCE?! How happy are they that they finally get private lessons in the instrument they love AND double the dance classes with their best friends and favorite teachers? How great is it to try something new with big middle school and high school kids? How great is it to be busy doing things we love?
If I had my real way I’d live in a small town in an old tiny house with a half fridge and an ancient stove. I’d have a cow to milk, and sheep to sheer, and chickens to gather eggs from. I’d live in a town with one Main Street, a general store like the one in Anne Of Green Gables that you could get anything at. But I don’t live there. I live here. Less than a 1/2 mile from my childhood home, a 7 minute walk from my 7th graders 1500+ student middle school.
I’m happy here on my 1/2 acre. My middle sister across the street, my oldest and youngest sisters across town. My mom and dad 10 minutes away, our family cabin a mornings drive north. Lakes everywhere you turn, and love within these 4 walls.
It’s a good life indeed.
