DISAGREE IF YOU DARE
You probably had one of three reactions at the title of this blog post.
“You are a genius! I wish I was as smart and beautiful as Bridget!”
“Bridget! How could you! I thought you were smart and beautiful, but not anymore!”
“Who the heck are Laurie and Amy?”
I will first address the last response, AKA the painfully ignorant readers who aren’t as obsessed with Timothee Chalamet as I am. Oh calm down, I’m just teasing. I’m sure you are all very intelligent and have great taste in movies and celebrity crushes. I digress. The aforementioned characters come to life in the book and movie, Little Women. Just in case you’ve never read/seen it, here’s the Bridget Walton Original recap:
Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy are four sisters traversing love, money, friendship, and family during the Civil War. Jo becomes best friends with her neighbor, Laurie (Timothee Chalamet HELLO). Laurie is secretly in love with Jo, Amy is secretly in love with Laurie, Jo is not in love with anyone. After a rejected proposal from Jo, heartbroken Laurie traipses around Europe and eventually marries Amy. Jo falls in love with an old German/hot Frenchman (book/movie, respectively). They all live happily ever after. Except for Beth.
Now that everyone is on the same page, let’s get into the nitty gritty.
If you responded with the second reaction, then you probably will go to the grave defending the Jo and Laurie romance. Their inseparable friendship and Laurie’s relentless adoration of Jo is deceiving. While his confession of love and her rejection is heart wrenching, I am of the strong opinion that it is for the best. The first reaction (the correct one) agrees that Laurie and Jo simply are not compatible whatsoever.
I’m not here to make a commentary on the idea that “true love conquers all” and I am sure that there are circumstances where true love triumphs over disposition and compatibility. I do, however, believe that most sustainable relationships require the kind of love that is steadfast and selfless. This is a key aspect of love that is missing from Jo and Laurie’s dynamic.
While Jo cares for Laurie like a brother, Laurie’s love for Jo is obsessive and idolizing. He believes she is perfect. He puts her on a pedestal that leaves no space for growth or change. Even in his proposal, his argument for why they should be together is founded on his willingness to change his own disposition for her. This love is striving and is not sustainable.
Okay, okay. We’ve established why Jo and Laurie aren’t right for each other, but what makes Amy and Laurie such a perfect match? Compatibility and the kind of love that lasts a lifetime. Love that will endure life’s changes and turmoil. Laurie is a dreamer. He is spontaneous and fun and impulsive. Amy is realistic and creative and smart. They need each other. He helps her take life less seriously and she brings him back down to earth. They challenge one another to become better, him to grow up and her to become softer. It makes me believe that as they change, they will grow towards an even more healthy relationship. Their love for one another was born out of seeing the good and bad and choosing to pursue what is truly fulfilling. The same reasons that Amy and Laurie work so well, is also why Jo and Friedrich (old german/hot Frenchman) are perfect for each other. He pushes her to become a better writer and loves her because of her passion and fiery spirit.
As you can probably tell, I've thought a lot about this. Is it because I relate most to Amy and desperately want to marry Laurie? Probably. Despite that factor, I really do think Amy and Laurie are a match made in heaven. Feel free to disagree in the comments (if you dare).
*I also feel the need to mention that I have never been in love so my opinions may be very inaccurate, considering my personal experience is absolutely non-existent.*
In case you forgot, It's just Not That Serious.
Bridget Walton