i was in 8th grade when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's [Philosopher's] Stone was released. i had heard whisperings of "the boy who lived", quidditch and Hogwarts but never stepped into the wizarding world until i was a sophomore in high school.
because my parents did not agree with the wizard/witch based stories (they have since relaxed a little about it) i had to be fairly sneaky about the fact that i was reading the Harry Potter books but it made it all the more fun for me. not only was i being rebellious, but i was loving what i read.
i remember the points in my life when i read each book. i read the 1st and 2nd when i was in high school, battling depression and i found a relieving escape in Harry Potter's world, the 5th one i read while i was living in Holland and i would stay up after everyone else had gone to bed reading by the light of the night light. then there was book 7. i went to the midnight release and drove home with my book knowing that i was going to have to wait until i had gotten off work the next day to start reading. i stayed off of Facebook and ignored all texts on my phone in fear of someone giving something away. and then i went home and devoured the book.
it was the same with the movies. i anxiously awaited the release of each one, showing my dedication by waiting in line for ridiculously long hours just to see one of the first showings in my town.
it was no different last night.
{this was around 9:30 last night. we had been in the theatre for about an hour and had quite a few hours left to go...}
last night was one of the most bittersweet moments of my life. all week i had been anticipating the final installment of the Harry Potter films but at the same time i did not want it to ever arrive. even when the last book came out i still knew i had a few more movies to look forward to (didn't we all?). but coming to terms that this was going to be the end, no more books, no more movies, no more Harry, has been an emotional feeling for me. i know to someone who has never read the books or seen the movies all this talk might sound ridiculous. but to me, Harry and Ron, Hermoine, Snape, and Neville have been more than just characters in a book. they have been a fixture in my life, a beacon of hope at some points, an escape from the sometimes seemingly harsh reality. the Harry Potter books [and films] have represented so many other things in my life than just novels. they have represented love, hope, freedom, rebellion, friendship, endurance, excitement and so much more.
there may never ever be a series again that touches my life and sticks with me the way this one has. i know there will be other wonderful books, other spectacular films (ahem, Hunger Games, The Mortal Instruments) but these books, J.K. Rowlings humble writings of "the boy who lived" will remain with me for the rest of my life.
and just so you all know, i thought the movie was a perfect ending to a magically enthralling adventure.
♥ ♥