May the Fourth be with You! (Or Whatever Floats Your Boat)

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Today is Star Wars Day, my favorite holiday!  

It’s the day when my family’s clothing choices actually fit the occasion. No one else at my work site can wear Star Wars garb for 2 weeks straight without wearing anything twice. Heck, I don’t hesitate to wear my Darth Vader dress on a regular old Wednesday. But May the Fourth, that’s a special day. You can go to the dark side and find cookies. Or you can be a rebel and grab one of Princess Leia’s buns or a bounty hunter donut. You can run around with a light saber and a mask without having to answer doorbells and hand out candy. There’s no pressure to buy gifts for everyone on your list or eat dinner at 3 different houses all in one day. You get to set your imagination free. Not even the sky is the limit on Star Wars Day. It really is the best holiday.

My husband Ryan and I have celebrated Star Wars together since our beginnings. We stood in line for hours with all the costumed folks dueling their sabers, waiting for the midnight showings of Episodes II and III (back when midnight showings actually WERE at midnight). 

A trip to the Presidio
A trip to the Presidio

There are so many wonderful things to learn from Star Wars. For one there’s Darth Vader, who starts out as a loving, fight-for-those-I-love guy, who turns into a terrible dad, but then ends up being awesome in the end. The there’s Queen Amidala with her amazing fashion sense (I am especially inspired by her lipstick), who acts in the best interests of others. There’s Sabine Wren, the artist with the awesome hair, who chooses a family not based on blood, but on loyalty and character. And then there’s Artoo (R2-D2), who helps us realize that you don’t have to use words to communicate effectively.

As Amy Ratcliffe points out in her article, Star Wars is full of important life lessons, like “A little hope goes a long way,” and “every life has value.” 

For me and my family, Star Wars is about more than just great lessons to learn. Star Wars is every day, all the time. 

Every Day is Star Wars Day
Every Day is Star Wars Day

When I was pregnant for the very first time (after trying to get knocked up for SEVEN years . . . read all about that here), my husband and I found out we were going to have twins…a boy and a girl…Luke and Leia!!! My husband immediately took music from the original saga and assigned it as their theme music and played it at my belly really loudly. We didn’t actually name them Luke and Leia. Their names are Lukas Malak and Eisley. (Google THAT on Wookieepedia.)

They played with light sabers before they could walk.

Baby Saber
Baby Saber

These kids sang the “Imperial March” before they could talk. They associate red, green, and blue with good and evil. Darth Vader enters every battle, even the ones about eating toast or putting away shoes. Much advice does Yoda give.

For my family, Star Wars is a language we speak, a way we relate, a story we tell to get a point across, a character we emulate (or discourage).

When Baby 3 came along, we named him Asher Solo

Asher Solo & Chewie
Asher Solo & Chewie

This kid takes it to a new level. When he gets angry, he doesn’t just throw a crazy toddler fit. He puts his hands in front of him, spreads his fingers apart, and attempts to use the Force on you. Asher looks like Emperor Palpatine using force lightning. When we go grocery shopping, he feels it is his personal responsibility to use the Force to open and close all the automatic doors, again and again and again. He even once used the Force on a sweet old lady at PetsMart. At first she thought he wanted a high five, then she realized what was up and used the Force right back on him. Kudos, lady. I wish I knew your name so I could tell you that you’re awesome.

I wish everyone was like that lady . . . kind, observant, and patient with the crazy, two-year-old who’s blocking the exit. The Force is with her.

Whatever “force” is with you and your family, embrace it!

If your kid is slingin’ webs, climb that high tower. 

Princesses
Princesses
Spider Mom
Spider Mom

Maybe your daughter is letting it go, so don’t hold it back anymore. If your baby is going on a trip, you better find a laundry basket, dump all the clothes on the floor, and build him his favorite rocket ship. Now is the time to “make forever free all beings in the galaxy.” Set them free to imagine. To experience the universe (not just this one). Or to be a beautiful, unique creature. To do whatever floats ya’ll’s boats. (Yes, I did just use a double apostrophe.)

So, YOU, go be unique! Love what you love and SHARE that love!

And,”May the Force be with you… always.”

Force Wielding King of the North
Force Wielding King of the North

 

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