I’m not quite sure how we got here already, but here we are. Happy Friday Everyone! I’ve been home for a full day, only to leave again soon, but I’m making the most of it. Wednesday I spent a few hours in the sun once I got home, reading and trying to get rid of my sock tan. Then, last night I got to do one thing I’ve been looking forward to since the day it came out two weeks ago.

I finally got to see Love, Simon.

Based on the book, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, this is another one of those books that I watched the movie first; I haven’t gone back to read the book yet, but I might; I just didn’t want to spoil the ending this time. So what’s the movie all about anyway? Well, our main character Simon Spiers is a closeted high school senior and is forced to face his secret when the twists and turns (and people) threaten to tell the whole world.

In between the raging turmoil of Spiers and his high school experience, this movie was the slice of life a lot of people have been waiting for. Not only because this movie was complete friendship goals and an experience into another world for a little while, but because this slice of life was more than just another story told on screen. For a lot of people, Simon’s experience looked a whole lot like theirs.  

The thing about this movie and a handful of other movies that I thoroughly appreciate is that they offer representation for many youth that feel misunderstood. It unlocks the door for the kind of conversation that just hasn’t happened yet. 

So let’s talk, I promise I won’t spoil anything.

I just want to start with saying how incredible it was to watch that movie, not because of just the film itself, but because of the atmosphere in that theatre. As we waited for the big reveal, literally all sitting on the edge of our seats, there wasn’t a single person in that room who wasn’t whooping or yelling or possibly crying when we got to the part we were waiting for— no matter who any of us are and what our lives look like, everyone was invested in what happened to Simon. We all wanted to know where his story was going.

Beyond the atmosphere, I think this movie was something important for more than the experience, but also for the understanding. To know how it feels to fall in love, to feel something, and not be so sure if those feelings can ever be returned back to you the way you want it.

We’ve all been there right, it’s your classic coming of age. 

But what about the rest of it? To understand what it’s like to protect a secret that feels too dangerous to your own wellbeing and security to let out. Growing up in a world where we are all surrounded by the things we are told we should be and things we are are told we should have done by now, it’s hard to figure out where we fit into the picture. 

Especially if that picture never looks like you.

Once what you want people to see falls apart, everyone can see it and it your reality might be one you’re not ready to show. That’s terrifying, and for a whole lot of people, it’s also real. This story is so much more than just another romcom, it’s allowing people to feel like maybe they deserve their own stories, beyond a sexuality or gender or race or their past…

This movie gives people permission to take their time to figure out who they are on their own, and who they want with them along the way while they try to get there.

No matter how long that takes, it’s okay.

Because Love, Simon shined a light on a lot of things, from a new perspective to a different experience. But in a way, movies and books like this are why I feel each is so important to our lives. These are the stories people need to see, need to read, the experiences we need to open our minds to a little bit.

Maybe one of these days, I’ll be lucky enough to write a story like this of my own. But for now, I can settle for Love, Simon because my eyes are open wide and I’m ready for whatever else comes our way. So here’s to change. 

And if you’ve seen the movie, I would really love to hear what you thought about it, leave your thoughts in the comment below!