The prompt was given at a writing
class I attended at the community college. I chose my line, wrote my essay and then
hesitated to read it. As luck, or
rather, misfortune would have it, I was the last to share. Everyone else in the class had profound
quotes from classic movies. Their quotes had
deep philosophical meaning, intellectual and influential. The lines were serious…with political or
moral significance. Mine was from a
chick flick with little depth. As each
person shared, I wondered how to share my line without appearing goofy or worse, stupid. Then I began plotting how to get out of
sharing at all. I could say I drew a
blank, except others had seen me writing feverishly during the exercise. Darn.
It was my turn. I decided to own
my favorite line and be proud. Who cares
what anyone else thinks, right? And so I read:
"My favorite line from a movie
is: 'Everyone is Tad Hamilton to
somebody.”
A few of my classmates chuckled. I continued:
"As my kids began dating and thinking
about finding “the one”, we discovered the movie Win a Date With Tad
Hamilton. In a light and breezy way,
the assumption that only the most handsome or beautiful win the girl or guy is
unequivocally blasted to rubble.
Our hero Pete, is in love with the
unassuming (and beautiful) Rosalee, who wins a date with a movie star, Tad Hamilton. As a romance ensues, Pete tries desperately
to win her heart as the virile Tad has only to wink and cause hearts to melt
like butter on a sweet roll.
Whan Rosalee seemingly chooses Tad
forever, Pete seeks the advise of a barmaid who has always flirted with Pete,
pining for his heart. Hearing his plight and knowing without a
doubt that she will not win him, she confesses that Pete is her Tad
Hamilton. Pete is surprised and
humbled. Then the line: “Everyone is Tad Hamilton to somebody”.
Her words give him courage and he
runs to Rosalee and declares his love but she rejects him and runs off with the
movie star. All hope seems lost, but as
with all good stories, in the end, Rosalee realizes that the real Tad Hamilton
is all buff and fluff but Pete has been her true love all along. The movie ends with a sappy dance in the
rain, and the confirmation that sometimes the good guy does win the girl."
When I finished reading, red-faced, I sensed understanding in my classmates. It's a familiar angst. The doubt, the feeling that we're not good enough, the intimidation and finally, hopefully, the realization that we are loved, we are enough, made to be who we are meant to be. After all, it's true, you know..."Everyone is Tad Hamilton to somebody."
