Note: Nothing ticks me off more than someone giving away a movie plot, but everything I’m about to share you can grasp from seeing the trailer.

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a Spider can. Unfortunately, this quest for justice wreaks havoc on Toby Maquire, aka Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man’s personal and professional life. In his desire to protect the woman he loves, Kirsten Dunst, aka Mary Jane, from being vulnerable to attack from his enemies, he pushes his heart and her away. Her pain drives her to the arms of another while his pain causes such stress that his on the job performance suffers. He becomes entangled in his own web of lies as he attempts to protect those he loves from the truth.

Can’t we all recall a time when someone we know (maybe even us) didn’t communicate the truth under the guise of “protecting” another? A gay friend of mine kept his true sexuality a secret from his family for years so they wouldn’t be disappointed. Someone else pretended to go to work everyday even after they were let go so their spouse wouldn’t worry. Wearing these “masks” is exhausting and leaves us spinning more tales to cover up our truth.

Like Peter Parker, I can remember hiding my true feelings towards someone I loved, but in my case it was to protect my own heart. Too many years later, I discovered that he had felt the same, but was too afraid to share his passion out of possible rejection. What time we wasted, because like Mary Jane, he found his solace in the arms of another that he chose to marry. End of story.

As often happens, Peter Parker’s greatest fear comes true  when MJ is captured by the villain (after all, he’s spent all this mind time worrying about Mary Jane’s safety – whatever you think about most you create!). During her rescue his mask is removed. She finally learns the truth when he confesses his love both for her and his career as a crime fighting crusader. Gee, guess what happens? The drama ends and they both get what they always wanted – a loving, supportive partner who accepts them for who they are. Hug. Hug. Kiss. Kiss.

Now I realize that life doesn’t always have a “happily ever after” ending, but my gay friend finally got honest with his family and through time, both acceptance and genuine love were found. The sneaking off to work spouse ended up digging himself deeper in doo doo when his wife called the office one day and learned the facts. Although he believed he was protecting her, she felt he lacked faith in her ability to hear the truth. After much anger and tears, they’ve worked it out.

Since I learned my lesson the hard way, I made different choices when I fell for my husband.  I was the first one to take an emotional risk and blurt out, “I love you” (this from a gal who wouldn’t even tell a guy she liked him!). Although his initial response was “um, thank you,” I believe I gave him permission to open up his heart to me that much more. Later when I shared that story with my girlfriends, too many of them said, “Oh, that’s too bad.” I didn’t see it that way. It was the first time I took a huge emotional risk, and I was glad I spoke my truth. After all, we’ve been tangled up in our own crazy love story ever since.

Back to the Articles page

Articles may be reproduced with permission from Colette Carlson Communications.