Today's Lesson: Emotional Co-Dependency with Fictional Characters

I love to read. Like love it. Though I am an avid fan of several genres, the books I like most are series. I know that I complain about having to wait for the next installment when I begin an unfinished series. But secretly, deep down inside, I love that too. See what I usually don't talk about is how emotionally invested I get in characters and their stories. After a few books, I feel like I know them and have grown attached. To me, there's nothing more depressing than saying goodbye to a character who has been with you for years.

I bring this up because a good friend of mine is in Orlando and going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter today. Now this may be shocking, but I am HUGE Harry Potter fan. I started reading books over a decade ago when I was in high school and am still a loyal fan today. When the series ended in 2007, I was hit with the sadness that comes from seeing a story end. It was especially poignant because the series had been with my through my teenage years, college, and into the real world.

Lucky for me though, I had several more movies and then a theme park left to look forward to. But once the credits rolled on the final film and I ate my Chocolate Frog from the Honey Dukes in Orlando, I was back to that feeling. That final goodbye. For me, that was a very sobering moment. Not just because there was no more new Harry Potter related wonder left to look forward to, but because I was also faced with the reality that I reached the end of that particular chapter of my childhood. I was all grown up, and though Harry and his friends were with me during some important years, it was time for me to move on - without them.

It was a bittersweet ending to the journey and I found that the whole experience could be summed up by the wisest person ever, Dr. Seuss.

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

I now look forward to the day when I can share the enchanting tale of Harry Potter with my own son. I have a feeling that it will be just as magical the next time around :)