Love Story

So Michelle just linked me to this vid on YouTube of an arrangement this guy did on piano and cello called "Love Story meets Viva la Vida." And I'm trying not to cry like a baby. It's a beautiful arrangement, go check it out (but after you finish reading. ^_^)

Anyways, I'm typing this as I listen to it again, and I'm absolutely floored at the fact that a teenager wrote the song Love Story. Just the melody alone is enough to bring me to tears. But it's the words that do me in every. single. time. And I think, how lucky is this girl to be able to not just pen down these lyrics and hear this music in her head, but ultimately have such hope that someday she's going to find her Prince Charming. And not only will she find him, she believes he will overcome any challenge, any roadblock, big or small, to ensure their happily ever after.

That's a lot of optimism for a girl to have these days. With all the crap and stupidity going on in the world, it's hard to hope for true love. It's hard to imagine that yes, there is someone out there, meant for you, who will do whatever it takes to find you. I know in my personal experience, my natural optimism is constantly battling what I perceive to be a harsh reality: It's a tough world out there, and if you're gonna make it, you're gonna have to be able to do it alone. It's created an almost fierce independence streak in me. When I first moved out here on my own, I was the eternal optimist. I was Taylor Swift. I knew I was a social person, and that I needed people. But after just over two years and a lot of heartbreak, my thinking has taken a much more realistic, defensive route. I'm prepared to face this world on my own, without a crutch to lean on. I can't waste time looking for someone to share my life with, because it will only bring disappointment.

But I'm so grateful for those out there who do believe in happy endings. Who believe in that knight riding in on a white horse. It almost, almost rekindles that spark of hope. Almost. And sometimes, it's nice to pretend there is hope.

Anyways, thank you Taylor Swift, for your beautiful music and even more beautiful lyrics. Thanks for bringing the hope of a fairytale ending into an otherwise bleak world.