by Amanda Hankins

Created on: November 28, 2008   Last Updated: April 12, 2009

Becoming Cinderella

A familiar feeling, a hand on mine, a cliche moment, and rush of emotion is everything a girl could ever want. It's what I used to have. I can remember the day so clearly when I thought I was fulfilling my destiny. As a young girl I always knew my parents' story; instead of Cinderella and prince charming, there was Karen and Kevin. They were my role models, they weren't just high school sweethearts, but middle school crushes. Growing up, I thought it wasn't normal to have it any other way. Because of this I was on a mission from a very young age to find my sweetheart.

I pictured him sweeping me off feet like I was nothing but air. As a giddy young girl I took that far too literally. I should have just skipped the small talk and held a reality show like audition for a boy that fit the criteria for my life partner. For adults, they call this process match.com but for prepubescent teens, it's jumping the gun. I spent many years being the girl that never had a boyfriend that thought holding hands was a giant step.

I was content, because in my head I knew eventually Prince Charming would come and my life would be complete. The movies really did nothing to help deter me from these crazy ideas I had in my head. Although as I entered high school I gave up on finding love and decided I wanted nothing but to have a good time with my friends. I was kidding myself! It seemed like everyone around me had a date to Homecoming, or boyfriend to walk them to class. I was the outsider and wanted nothing more than to just have someone's hand to hold.

. It was in August of 06' when I was swept off my feet. I was sixteen and head over heels for the football star. It was a cliche relationship: the hometown hero and the dance team captain. We were the power couple everyone loved to hate. I can remember so vividly sitting on my driveway holding the movie ticket from "Night at the Museum" dated 2006.

"Want me to walk you to your door?" He asked me this awkwardly holding my hand.

"No I'm Ok," A shy response coming from a petrified daddy's girl, who knew she was going to get chewed up and spit out for being out past her curfew. He smiled at me like I wasn't there, like no one could see him. I could see him, you could see right through his broad shoulders and 6'5'' frame. He was mush, a giant ball of young, love, mush.

"I really love you Amanda, I always have, and always will." His big blue eyes were gaping widely at mine. They were so captivating, I felt like a cool wind

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