I grew up with

naive hands pricked by spindles,

fire hair burning through water,

pixie dust forgotten on the bedroom floor.

I’ve lived with dwarfs and magic

and dancing gorillas.

Villians had horns as black as their hearts

and tentacles reaching as far as their vile dreams.

No matter how many differences there are,

the one thing that remains is love.

The true love kiss from the prince that

saves the princess’s life,

but now,

the princess can save herself.

When we think of these films,

we think of immeasurable love,

not the courage or friendship

that’s carried through them.

Of how we are not prizes to be won

and learn to love ourselves,

Of how that love between families and friends

can be as sacred as the one between couples.

We princesses are more than what we are on the outside.

We’re heriones.