Last school year we had a week off of school due to snow, and I hunkered down and lost myself in Austen. This year we didn't have quite that much snow, and I had been missing my friend Jane. I realized it had been far too long since I was lost in Austen.
This past Sunday I went to Mass and brunch with my family for Mother's Day. After brunch I went to the grocery store, and then I went home to make my lunches and set out my outfits for the week. (Don't ask, I'm a nerd.) I scrubbed my living room carpet. (No, really, I used this. It worked pretty well!) Then I looked around and realized I had a final to study for, papers to grade, and lots of other things to do.
But I just couldn't.
Instead, I grabbed my stack of Austen films and buried myself underneath the covers. It was raining, which made it even more perfect.
The minute that first scene of Emma came on, I knew I had made the right decision. (It's also a dangerous one because sometimes I don't like to come back.)
I just can't really explain my love of Austen. Her stories are just so very beautiful. They all have happy endings. My heart swells so much it hurts (HURTS) when Mr. Knightley confesses his feelings to Emma, when Edward arrives at Barton Cottage for Elinor, when Edmund gets over himself and declares his love for Fanny, and, of course, when Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth finally get on the same page.
I laid there admiring Jane Austen and being in awe of the mind that could imagine these beautiful stories.
And then I remembered.
Jane Austen never experienced this kind of love herself.
And that memory took my breath away.
No really.
I literally couldn't move on with my life for a minute because I was just so overwhelmed that the woman who gave the world FITZWILLIAM DARCY was the ultimate single girl.
And then I thought -- who am I to hope that God sends me someone when he let JANE FREAKING AUSTEN be single forever?!
Life is confusing sometimes, isn't it?
No matter what, I know I owe a great deal of thanks to Jane Austen for these overwhelming, painful, beautiful, gut-wrenching stories. The greatest love stories ever.
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