Watching Bridgerton Season 3, I couldn’t help but see myself in the main character, Penlope Featherington.
I am her and she is me.
Why then would I be so excited for this season when I never had any interest before?
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Its not for the Regency era shenanigans or the beautiful dresses or the stunning Shondaland storylines.
For me, its because of Penelope Featherington.
I have an active imagination.
I can see myself in most romantic comedy leads if for nothing than my immense hopeless (hopeful?)
And maybe Im good at that because Ive never truly had anyone to relate to.
But then I heard aboutBridgerton Season 3.
About a girl who likes books and cant help but fall for men who never look her way.
Who yearns to have a cadre of suitors like the other women in her society.
And, most of all, a woman who looked just like me.
Instead, a girl who was bigger.
Who was cast aside for her size.
Finally, I saw someone like me.
The official trailers that promised heat and longing that doesnt normally get reserved for the fat girls.
And I ate it up.
And it made me deeply sad.
Ive felt Penelopes reality.
I have been the one on the wall, not getting picked.
Ive watched as my prettier, more normal friends got chosen ahead of me.
Ive noticed that Ive been an afterthought.
That I could only be seen as the friend, and never the romantic interest, the sexual prize.
My tears were as much for me as they were for her.
I ached not because I understood her despair, but because I felt it, too.
That the mere idea that someone could dream of being with her is beyond laughable.
I am Penelope Featherington.
That someone could want her.
And someone wonderful at that.
Penelope Featherington doesnt have to wait on the wall.
She doesnt have to die alone.
She doesnt have to be unloved, unwanted, undesirable.
And I hope we both get our happy endings.
