The End.

*Absolutely no spoilers! You have my word.

An ending is not always a terrible thing. Sometimes it leads to a new beginning. Sometimes finality signals a door to slam shut, instead of softly closing, so that one knows it's an entryway best kept sealed. And sometimes an ending is necessary, no matter how painful it is to bid farewell to something so well-loved.

Saturday afternoon I read the words, "The End." The final page of Stephenie Meyer's brilliant and breathtaking Twilight saga closed with these two words, and with it the love story of Bella and Edward. I closed my copy of Breaking Dawn, completely spent, emotional, and thankful. I cried. I cried in front of 50+ unknown souls, all sitting in lounge chairs or swimming in the pool of the Hilton Austin. I wasn't embarrassed. I didn't object to my tears mixing with the SPF 30 I'd slathered on my face, nor did I wince when my eyes began to blur. Sitting there, in a veritable lap of luxury (read: my kids safely at home in Virginia, my husband ensconced in boring medical meetings, a day of sun and dips in the pool, cold beverages, and complete alone-time, i.e. HEAVEN!), I cried while bidding farewell to the characters I've loved so deeply this past year. This Edward, this Bella, this Jacob, this Alice, Jasper, Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, and Emmett...their story reached closure, and I found completion right along with these fictional beings.

"The End." Yes, it was the end. Yet I was happy, and that surprised me most of all. I've never been good with the farewells.

For me, Twilight was akin to falling in love with my husband. Remember the rush of blossoming first love? The late night talks, about everything and nothing...looking for any excuse to be with each other...swapping stories, sharing secrets...the first embrace...and--BLISS!--the first kiss. It makes me all tingly from my head to my toes. Identifying first love through Bella's eyes was a joy ride for me. Mid-way through the first book, Edward muses:

"Isn't it supposed to be like this? The glory of first love, and
all that. It's incredible, isn't it, the difference between reading about
something, seeing it in the pictures, and experiencing it..." Twilight,
Chapter 14.

By this point in the first book I was in deep...and I only swam out two days ago. Honestly, I'm diving in again very soon. And very often.

Incidentally, this simple little quote summarizes my love for Twilight...I had to experience it to fully to appreciate the story that was born in the dream of Stephenie Meyer, a Midwestern wife and mother. When I say Bella and Edward are the most romantic couple in the history of fiction, I pray Margaret Mitchell isn't turning in her grave. Shakespeare wishes he created these two lovers. Yes, I said that. And Jane Austen? She comes mightily close, (both Austen and Meyer are kindreds when it comes to chaste, pure, and preserved love. I love that.) however I'm sticking with the more modern lovebirds. Mr. Darcy, I still heart you.

And so, without a single spoiler, I share with all of you now: I adored Breaking Dawn. It was beautiful, it was different, it was exciting, it was a whirlwind, and I was completely caught up in it. Over the past couple of days I've read many negative reviews on this final chapter of the Twilight Saga, mostly from younger girls. To these gals I say, "Read it again when you're older...then you'll get it...and only then will you understand fully."

Thank you, Stephenie Meyer. Countless dreams I've had of wild tales, mysterious settings, and burgeoning romance...and not one time have I ever thought to put pen to paper and preserve these little gems from slumber. But I'm glad you did. I have enjoyed every minute of your dream, and I thank you for sharing it with me and millions of others. We are all the better for it.

p.s. I'm sure you've noticed the countdown over on my side bar--yes, the movie version of Twilight is being released 11-21-08. To say I'm excited is putting it mildly. Very.