I'm in Love with a Fictional Character

Most of my posts have been very academic based, but selfishly I need to write about a different topic (however, I do have a classroom connection!!).

I’m in love with a fictional character!! Yep, like millions of other women, I fell for Edward Cullen over a year ago, and I’m still obsessed! My obsession is well know among my students and my two children (ages 7 and 5).

One day at the mall, after passing by Hot Topic and oogling all of the Twilight merchandise in the window, my son seriously asked me, “Mom, what would you do if Edward texted you?” I laughed loudly as my husband responded, “She would say, ‘Leave me alone, I’m already married!’”. Yes, this was a legitimate conversation in my family!

My students are likewise amused by my infatuation with this character and the book series- and of course I play the part to the extreme. I find opportunities to reference Edward and Twilight during class- almost daily. I have a few posters donning my drab classroom walls. My reputation has spread beyond just my own students, too. Girls wearing Twilight t-shirts light up when they see me in the hall because they know I’m jealous of their apparel.

But last week was a highlight. I found two boxes of Sweetheart candy on my desk- one with Bella, the other with Edward. Attached was a Post-It note reading, “First of Two”. My curiosity was piqued, and I was anxious to see what part two was. I didn’t have to wait long, because shortly thereafter, while my homeroom was silently reading, I heard a “rap tap tap” on my door. I looked up to see the dreamy face of Edward Cullen looking at me through the window.

I excitedly hopped up, scaring my sheepish ninth-graders. I opened to door wide to have five giggling seniors hold out a six foot tall cardboard cut-out display of Edward! The five of them were shopping during the BPA State competition, and saw it at MOA, and knew they had to buy it for me. I was quite flattered. I had already taught a few of them, so I knew they weren’t just sucking up!! They genuinely cared enough to think of me and bought me a gift!

So Edward now hangs out in the front of my classroom. I put a yarn necklace around him, and attach a new sign to him daily. Tuesday’s read, “Edward and I want to wish you Happy St. Patrick’s Day!” Thursday: “Be nice to the substitute… or else!” My substitute even got into it by adding her sign on Friday, “Happy Spring.”

You may ask then, was I in line at midnight (Friday/Saturday) to purchase the DVD? I admit, I thought about it, but I didn’t really think that any of my 30 something year old friends- who are also obsessed with the books- would really drive 15 minutes to the nearest store with me. But my “six-months-pregnant-with-triplets” sister and I nearly ran some women over with a cart in our quest to get the “three disc” special- Exclusive at Target!!


Edward is definitely a conversation piece. And as incredibly dorky and cheesy as it is, I have found my obsession for Edward and Twilight to create class bonding like I’ve never had before.

I’m anxiously awaiting the release of the next movie- and this time I might just actually go to a midnight showing… on a school night!!!