I am Belle

Alright, this post is probably 10% about me and 90% about Once Upon A Time. Specifically, this post is about Belle. Also, it's not very long. I hope that's okay!

I love Belle. I always have. From the days of Beauty and the Beast, she has been a favorite of mine. I totally feel like she is the character I can relate to the most from OUAT. I am the type of person who really searches for the good in others. I am not one who is quick to judge, and I definitely wear my heart on my sleeve. Belle fell in love with Rumple at his worst and had a desire to help him work through his darkness.

In high school, I found myself dating guys who I thought I could "fix." Alas, those relationships failed because reality is not a fairytale. (SAY WHAT?!)

I love the way Belle held on to Rumple. She didn't give up on him, and she put every ounce of faith she had in him that she could. She wanted so badly to believe he could change for the better and defeat his dark side. (My mind immediately thinks of Star Wars when I use the phrase "dark side," but I digress...) Belle wanted to trust that Rumple would put aside his darkness and lust for power.

And for a moment, she thought he did. We all did. I was so excited when I thought that he gave his dagger to Belle and embraced his love for her over his love for power. Obviously, that didn't happen, and for a while Belle was oblivious. That didn't make her weak. Loving him was probably the strongest thing, in my opinion, anyone could have done. It was a huge risk, loving the Dark One. I am really hoping that, in season 5, we can see them repair their marriage since he isn't the Dark One anymore.

I am the friend who holds on. I believe there is good in everyone, and if I hold on long enough, then it will shine through. I don't give up easily on relationships of any kind. If you need a friend, then you've got a friend in me! Belle, I feel, is the friend everyone needs. The people of Storybrooke can seek her for confidence, encouragement, and hope. With that, I'm pretty sure Belle is my spirit animal.