March 28, 2024

A Modern Day Mr. Darcy

I wanted to kickoff this week by saying a big “Thank you” for the thoughts and prayers for me as I recovered from my latest medical mishap.

If you have known me for any length of time, you know I hate to have to stay at home. Walking into the office yesterday, I found my smile again.

The past few days, I haven’t been much for being strong because in the end the days were filled with a lot of sorrow and emotion, wondering if I was going to be able to make it back. I have been told at points for the past month or so I have been filled with a foolish pride.

So, I found it funny how, on my first day back, a big factor was pride. As much as I wanted to go all out and make up for the lost time, I was reminded I had to take time to recover and find out what I had missed for the last 48 hours.

I also got to watch the final dress rehearsal of “Pride and Prejudice,” which starts at 7 p.m. tonight at Newton Senior High School’s Center for Performance.

While I have always been a fan of classic romances, I never found myself fond of the movie. But I love to see it be performed on stage.

Mr. Darcy, in the classic sense, is portrayed as a prideful pompous pain in the back side. And, Elizabeth’s prejudice keeps her from realizing he is truly in love with her, but doesn’t know how to say it right, regardless of his social standing.

I have had the chance to see “Pride and Prejudice” many times, and have always thought about how much Mr. Darcy is very much like today’s average guy. I, too, am guilty of being prideful about who I am and what I do.

My pride has caused a certain prejudice to surround me. It has made and ruined the relationships that I have had throughout my life.

I have always had a passion for the Elizabeth character because she’s a beauty who, if you don’t embrace it, she will let you know you messed up.

This past Valentine’s Day weekend, I went out with an ex — without a doubt an Elizabeth-type personality — to a party.

As I walked up to the party, I was thinking about how this was going to be an interesting night. She reminds me how I messed up every chance she gets.

She often reminds me how much I am like my father; how I can say something completely outlandish and make it sound like I am being a perfect gentleman. I know it’s odd, but if you knew the girl, it would be completely explainable.

I was laughing because during the Valentine’s Day season I found an app called “Match Made In Heaven” on Facebook, and she was chosen as my match made in heaven. It took a bit to get up off the floor from laughing.

I will always be a prideful and emotional guy because it’s how I was brought up.

In the end, I will always have an intrigue about the Mr. Darcy character because he is a guy who fell in love and had no idea why he couldn’t take his eyes off of Elizabeth. I thought about what it’s like to fall in love like Mr. Darcy.

I find myself looking at things and people and don’t truly see what these things mean or what this person will mean to me in my life.

I just want to thank the drama department for an amazing year. It was great to watch you guys grow, from the first time in November to the last scene of the dress rehearsal.

I am excited to see “Pride and Prejudice” come to life on stage.

If you have a free night on Friday or Saturday, go to NHS at 7 p.m, and support these students. Admission to see the show is just $5.