Hands-down, my favorite movie scene of all time is the above scene from Nanny McPhee. This scene makes me cry every time. I sob. If you haven't seen it, this scene is an impromptu wedding between two people who finally admitted to themselves - and to each other - that they were in love. The last-minute bride begins her walk down the aisle dressed in her scullery maid uniform. She turns to Nanny McPhee at her side and says, "I don't look much like a bride, do I?" Nanny McPhee replies, "You will."
Suddenly, the snow that has just begun - in August - covers Evangeline in a gown and veil as white as, well, snow. She is transformed as she walks toward her love. It is absolutely magical.
I love this scene for many reasons, but here is why this scene makes me cry every time.
1) Everything is set right in this moment. Being someone who loves happy endings, I am always overcome with emotion when I see things made right. In Frozen, when Elsa realizes that love will thaw the never-ending winter that's settled over Arendelle. In Sense and Sensibility, when Elinor learns that Edward is not married and bursts into tears of relief and joy. Every time that love is realized, that those who didn't feel safe finally find safety - that moment when you realize the good guy is going to win and that truth and justice will have the last word - I rejoice. We all do. This is what we all long for, isn't it?
2) It is TRUE. This scene - more than any scene I can think of - professes something that I believe to be true about life. That truth is, no one has to be ready to start walking towards her dreams; to take the risk his heart is calling him to take; to listen to the small, still voice inside herself and begin walking in the direction that voice is urging her to go. We don't have to be ready before we start. We will be made ready as we go. We will be transformed into our bravest, most beautiful selves as we walk in the direction of our dreams. We see this narrative played out countless times because it's true. You won't find a story in the Bible where God calls someone who feels up to the task. You won't find a hero on a "hero's journey" who begins that journey with full confidence that victory lies ahead. If you did, that person would cease to be a hero. I love it about God and about life that all we have to do is keep showing up, keep walking, keep pressing on toward truth and love and justice even when - especially when - we don't feel up to the task. What could be more hopeful than that? We are being transformed into who we were always meant to be.
If you don't feel ready to go where your heart is leading you, just keep walking. You will.
