Albert

So, I watched yet another chick flick this week - The Young Victoria. I loved it. I actually didn't watch the end due to unfortunate circumstances, but I loved what I saw and what I learned. I was thinking for a while about how I could write this post without sounding obsessed with romanticism or chick flicks. After a few, long minutes I realized that if I tried to avoid sounding like that, I wouldn't be true to myself. Yes, I am a girl, and I heart chick flicks. But this one in particular stuck with me for one main reason - Prince Albert.

Now you may think that Prince Albert, the Young Victoria's interest, is just like any other ideal man in any chick flick. But I am here to tell you, he is not. In previous posts, I have expressed my belief in the power of women. And as much as I love chick flicks, I don't believe they show women at their best. They often present women as being weak, helpless beings, when in reality, they are not. We truly are powerful creatures. That is why I instantly fell in love with this movie. Victoria had power, and she took it and she owned it. She didn't shy away or reluctantly hand her power over to someone else. She owned her power. And Prince Albert only assisted her in this endeavor. He didn't try to manipulate her. He didn't try to take it away. He only encouraged, loved, supported, and believed in her. He patiently waited until Victoria realized that in order to be the best Victoria, she needed him. She wasn't completely helpless without him, but she was even greater with him. Prince Albert only magnified Queen Victoria's strengths.

Even though, we scoff at the idea of movies becoming a reality, I think this is how life should be. I believe that whoever we choose to spend our life with should be a Prince Albert. Someone who completes us, who helps us reach what we can't reach on our own. Not someone who does our reaching for us. Here is a little bit from this beautiful, powerful film:

Victoria: Do you ever feel like a chess piece yourself? In a game being played against your will.
Albert: Do you?
Victoria: Constantly. I see them leaning in and moving me around the board.
Albert: Then you had better master the rules of the game until you play it better than they can.
Victoria: You don't recommend I find a husband to play it for me?
Albert: I should find one to play it with you, not for you.

And that's what Jenny thinks.