Legolas

The first time I saw The Lord of the Rings -- I was skeptical.

It was 2001 and Sammi (my first baby), was just a few months old. At the time, having a baby made me ultra-sensitive to everything: images, noise, movies. I was, what you might call, a prude. I had been told by family and friends that the movie was phenomenal, and I HAD to go see it. I was resistant, but after some prodding -- I caved in. So, Charles and I scheduled our FIRST date night since Sammi was born, and off to the movie theater we went.

I was nervous for a bunch of reasons, but mostly to leave my newborn for so long. I was also concerned about being trapped in a movie theater, not knowing what I was going to see. (I was not familiar with the story.) As the movie began, I started to freak. It was SO graphic compared to anything I had ever seen. It was intense and I was overwhelmed. I was uncomfortable and I did not know what to make of the film. Every time the "Eye" came on the screen I felt the fire burst unto my skin -- it was SO real! So intense!

I was panicking.

And then . . . THEN it happened!

During the Council of Rivendell, the beautiful Legolas came gracefully onto the screen. I think my mouth must have dropped open. I had never seen anything so breathtaking in a movie before. I was enthralled with the movie from that point on. I watched his every Elf-move. I allowed myself to be in Middle Earth for a time. I started to understand why people thought Aragorn was so ruggedly handsome (I was not seeing it at first). I finally let myself enjoy what was going on and I started laughing, crying, and appreciating the beauty of the images. As I gave in, I discovered it was a MASTERPIECE that I was witnessing. It was something worth watching, something spectacular.

By the end of the movie, I was left speechless, uncertain. It was so new and amazing -- it was hard to grasp it fully. We did not waste time leaving the theater. (My shirt was drenched, and I NEEDED to get home to my new baby!) But we discussed the movie for a LONG time after it was over.

As we gave the movie some time, it became something more to us. For the next two LOTR installments we were there OPENING NIGHT with all the dressed-up Hobbits, Elves, and Wizards. It was fantastic.

LOTR is my favorite movie series, ever, and I try to quote it is often as possible. I especially appreciate the TIME and LOVE they took to create something so magnificent. If only all movies were treated in such a way!

I was hesitant to let myself enjoy something. If not for Legolas and his fantastical character, I might not have let-go and allowed myself to be immersed in the magical moment. I would have missed out on so much greatness! (Not to mention super church-talk material!)

I just wanted to say, thank you, Legolas.

You changed my life. :-)