“In a world that I seldom understand, there are winds of destiny that blow when we least expect them. Sometimes they gust with the fury of a hurricane, sometimes the barely fan one’s cheek. But the winds cannot be denied, bringing as they often do a future that is impossible to ignore. You, my darling, are the wind that I did not anticipate, the wind that has gusted more strongly than I ever imagined possible. You are my destiny.”

The writer of these poetic words, Nicholas Sparks, intended for them to have a positive impact on people, to inspire one to love, and to keep hope of a happier life. However, many will say his words are too cheesy or will never come to life. But if one’s never experienced true love, how can one be sure? As someone who hasn’t experienced true love, I can’t say whether or not his statements are true, but I’d like to keep hope of true happiness being achievable. Granted, it may not be in a fairy tale setting or spontaneous, it is still achievable.

In his book “The Last Song,” the main character, Ronnie, (who isn’t the most appealing person at first sight) accidentally walks through a volleyball game and one of the players, Will, bumps into her and causes Ronnie to spill her drink on herself. She doesn’t know it at the moment, but he would become her first love. Although something this coincidental might not happen to everyone in their journey through life, the point he makes is that no matter how undesirable someone might think themselves to be, how hopeless, how depressed, the possibility of love and happiness is always present.

Sparks’ works are a way of weaving hope and optimism through the lives of many. He teaches that it is okay to be who you are and still be accepted by the people you love and others, that no matter how rainy the day might seem, keeping hope is the best thing you can do.

Whenever asked what my favorite types of movies are or what kind of books I like to read, I give my opinion as asked, but get complaints in return. Typically: “Oh, those movies are a bunch of lies” or “happy endings don’t exist.” Maybe nowadays teenagers are too caught up in watching horror films or playing video games to think about love, but it is okay to believe in it. If things as silly as a new dance style can be the center of attention, why can’t love be considered “cool”? Call me old-fashioned, but I believe that a good love story is always needed. Now, I’m not saying that it needs be a priority in one’s life, but being optimistic is important. Love is the closest thing we have to magic in this world.  

And if we’ve lost hope of that love and happiness, what do we have left?