Sharing some things Jane the Virgin taught me about love.
I wish I could say I was an original fan of Jane the Virgin, but I didn’t actually watch it until season two was already on Netflix. I remember being sick staying home from work all day. I literally stayed in bed and binged Jane the Virgin all day. I genuinely didn’t think I was going to like it as much as I did, but it’s officially one of my favorite shows. I can’t wait to watch it again all the way from the beginning.
When I was watching this last season, I had no idea that it was going to be the actual last season. I’m really bad with keeping up with news stories that don’t involve Taylor Swift or Harry Potter, and I usually don’t go seeking out information about TV shows and such unless it’s something that I think will keep me up at night. While I was watching the last season, things kept happening, and in my head I kept thinking, “Hmm…things are working out a little too well right now.” If you’ve seen Jane the Virgin, you know there’s always some kind of major drama that is dragged out until it only needs to be a mention in the future. I don’t want to give out any spoilers, but I will say that the season ended with things tied up with a pretty little bow, just the way I like it. I found myself crying at some point (not sobbing, just happy tears).
I love Jane the Virgin for so many reasons, the main one being how it celebrates diversity and shines a spotlight on a cast where white is the minority. As someone who grew up not seeing themselves on TV, I can truly appreciate a show like this that is both mainstream and celebrates diversity.
I love Jane the Virgin in all of its cheesiness. So much of this show is about love, but not just romantic love (although that is a huge part of it). It also celebrates the importance of loving your family, even the family members you didn’t know you had (because drama!). It also spotlights loving your friends and the people who become your family. Most importantly, it touches on self-love and believing in yourself. Jane the Virgin will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, all while teaching you the importance of love in all of its forms. These are some of the things Jane the Virgin taught me about love.
1 | DON’T PRIORITIZE ANYONE ABOVE YOURSELF. PUT YOURSELF FIRST. ALWAYS.
“I’m not a second class citizen, Raf, but, I’m not a second choice either.” – Petra
2 | IF SOMEONE LOVES YOU, THEY’LL ACCEPT YOU IN ALL OF YOUR FORMS.
“I realized I would rather still be with you. At your worst.” – Raphael
3 | IF SOMEONE DOESN’T LOVE YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE, DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME TRYING TO CONVINCE THEM OF YOUR WORTH.
“Well, honey, you can’t compromise who you are.” – Xo
4 | LOVE MEANS CHOOSING EACH OTHER, EVERY DAY.
“My parents are here today, not because they are meant to be, but because they chose each other. And in the face of a million obstacles, they chose each other. When it seemed like they should give up, they chose each other. And they keep choosing each other in the face of every single twist and turn life brings them. Every single day. And that is not destiny. That is not fate. That’s commitment. For richer or poorer. In sickness and in health. Through stormy days and sunny skies. They have earned their happy ending.” – Jane
5 | LOVING SOMEONE MEANS WANTING THEM TO BE HAPPY.
“I just love you two so much. Your love is something I aspire to. And I wish you all the happiness in the world, which is a really weird feeling because I don’t usually wish happiness on other people.” – Petra
6 | IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO TELL SOMEONE YOU LOVE THEM, ESPECIALLY IF THEY’RE FAMILY.
“And while we can’t go back in time, I can now say, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I wasn’t there for you all those years. I thought my Emmy win was the highlight of my life, but reconnecting with you is the real climax.” – River
7 | LOVE IS BEING THERE FOR THE PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT.
“And look, you don’t have to tell me the way you’re feeling right now. I just want you to know that you can, that you can trust me with whatever you’re feeling or thinking. Because I love you.” – Jane
8 | WHEN YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE, IT WON’T BE A QUESTION. IT’LL JUST FEEL RIGHT.
“I love you because you’re my best friend and I want to grow old with you. And right now, I am confused about every single thing in my life, except you.” – Jane
9 | MONEY CAN BUY YOU A LOT OF THINGS, BUT IT CAN’T BUY YOU LOVE.
“That is love. To give up money, like it’s nothing.” – Abuela
10 | LOVE MEANS WILLING TO ADMIT WHEN YOU’RE WRONG.
“That is my counterargument, which is really just me apologizing for being a jerk and talking about how much your friendship means and how much I missed you.” – Rafael
Have you seen Jane the Virgin?