D is for Darcy

I met my husband Julio when I was 23. I tell everyone I fell in love with him after hearing his laugh over the phone. My boss at the time was interviewing him and I was the go-between in setting up the interview (yes, some would read that as I was a secretary and they would be right; picture me as Jane Fonda in 9-5).

Julio wasn't looking to fall in love. He told me he wanted to date casually.

I thought about this for about a minute and then I said, "No, I don't think so. If you aren't my Mr. Darcy, you need to get out of the way because he is looking for me and I don't want to be tied down to some casual dater when he shows up."

The next day, Julio decided to become my Mr. Darcy. I don't say this lightly. I am much more high maintenance than Elizabeth. (I know, you're shocked). And I have four parents, not just two although none of them are a Mrs. Bennett, thank the Lord. Still my Julio has the integrity, loyalty, and strength of character of Mr. Darcy. And there is no doubt in my mind that he would lay down in traffic for any member of our family. *Swoon*

Believe it or not, I hadn't read any Jane Austen until I lived in London as a 21 year old. I had taken tons of English classes in college but somehow, the Romantics sort of passed me by. (In the meantime, I managed to read EVERY play that Shakespeare wrote). But I happened to be in London when the BBC first released their epic Pride & Prejudice soap opera. I call it a soap opera because each part was aired once a week and we students got together and watched it with the voracity of the people who have American Idol parties these days. After the series was over, I read all of Jane Austen.

Here's why I love Darcy...it is his change that really drives the plot of P&P. Elizabeth, not so much. Darcy is the character that we all grow to love. He is the character whose evolution is the most riveting.

Plus, you know...the casting didn't suck either.