Strong Female Lead

What exactly does that mean? Sterling got me hooked on a show and I've watched an episode or so the last couple of nights while feeding the baby before putting her to bed. The other night Sterling happened to be home and he said "I should've known you'd like this show." "Why's that?" "Cuz there's a strong female lead who values intelligence over looks." Hmph. Is this a good thing or a bad? Lets see...ultimate favorites since I was about five: Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, practically any pioneer book or fantasy novel where the girl is smart and can hold her own with the menfolk. But, its not really in the things I read and watch so much as I think it was the way I was raised. My oldest sister Megan was the supreme childhood hero, why? Not so much cause she was beautiful (although I think she is INCREDIBLY beautiful) but her amazing intelligence shone over top her beauty. And my parents reinforced that, quite adamantly.

One time after church my parents were saying that they liked a couple that had recently moved in to the ward. My dad said he thought that the wife had a quick sense of humor and that she was "sharp". I have since often thought that that was the ultimate compliment my dad could give. Every once in a while Sterling will tell me how beautiful he thinks I am and such, and then he'll stop and look at me and say "And I think you are extremely intelligent and I am so lucky to be married to you!" And then I smile. Lamesauce? yeah, a little bit. It has nothing to do with women's rights or women being treated equal to men-I actually find that usually I don't agree with the feminist's and I think women have attributes given to them specifically that are different than men's for a reason. It's just that I was raised to feel good about myself for doing well academically--or even just quick thinking. That was what I was complimented on. I think one of the few times I remember my dad telling me I was beautiful was on prom night--and then he teased me about the Nephites and the tinkling of fine silver and jewelery and trinkets and fine clothing. I always knew he thought I was beautiful, but it wasn't at all what he reinforced. And I think it's a good thing. I think a person's mind should always be valued more than their outward appearance. It's important.

I could also come up with a million quotes from church authorities about how refining our minds is important...but I don't want to expound quite that much. I just think its funny that Sterling notices that trait in me, and I don't even think about it--it's just the way I was raised.

Although...for clarification, my dad always calls my mom a "foxy lady" and I always wanted to aspire to that as well. Or really, I wanted a hubby who thought I was as beautiful as my dad thinks my mom is. So I suppose it wasn't quite as cut and dried as I made it seem.