When someone tries to tell you that having strong female leads in popular culture isn’t that important, send them to read this story.
When someone tries to tell you that science fiction isn’t for girls, send them to read this story.
When someone tries to tell you that Star Wars is meant for boys, send them to read this story.
However, if you just want to make someone smile, you can send them to read this story too.
On Twitter, one mom shared what happened when she surprised her young Star Wars/Rey-loving daughter with a painted mural of The Force Awaken‘s protagonist, and if you thought people were overreacting to Rey’s continued exclusion in the movie’s merchandise, this will show you why it was all justified.
The Girl will be home in just a few minutes, and will see her new room for the first time. Shhhh. I spammed y'all, but she doesn't know!
— Exorcising Emily (@exorcisingemily) January 15, 2016
I think it's a hit. pic.twitter.com/jvIrYJ8ofD
— Exorcising Emily (@exorcisingemily) January 15, 2016
She is attempting to hug both the wall and the new super-fluffy area rug.
— Exorcising Emily (@exorcisingemily) January 16, 2016
Well that didn't take long at all. Rey is reading Star Wars stories to Rey. pic.twitter.com/0JuN92QL6h
— Exorcising Emily (@exorcisingemily) January 16, 2016
Her cousin has never seen Star Wars and does not understand WHY THIS IS SO AMAZING. She's telling her the story. pic.twitter.com/2yZqZGe4uG
— Exorcising Emily (@exorcisingemily) January 16, 2016
Okay, we should pause here to fully collect ourselves after this adorable tidal wave of awesome, because there is more coming.
The Girl: "I love Rey. And BB-8. And Leia, -obviously.- Poe is my favorite of the boys though." pic.twitter.com/OOtZLz16Zj
— Exorcising Emily (@exorcisingemily) January 16, 2016
We went to Starbucks. She was dressed as Rey. Some people's day has been made.
— Exorcising Emily (@exorcisingemily) January 16, 2016
Uh, day? If I saw a little girl randomly dressed as Rey at my local Dunkin Donuts I would consider the entire year a massive success. Even the decade would be in play.
She's in a Star Wars mood and chattered a bit. She likes Finn, but said we don't know him yet because HE doesn't know. He's new. This is why
— Exorcising Emily (@exorcisingemily) January 16, 2016
…put this girl on the writing team for the next two movies.
She likes Poe best of the boys. But Rey is the best. My girl's a Rey Stan and would probs lightsaber you in the shin if you insult her fave.
— Exorcising Emily (@exorcisingemily) January 16, 2016
Evolution of a tiny Fangirl. She's always loved Star Wars, and now she gets to be a Jedi just like her big brother. pic.twitter.com/JOG7F2RpGz
— Exorcising Emily (@exorcisingemily) January 16, 2016
The Force is strong in our family. And always has been. pic.twitter.com/j8iMcNkrbW
— Exorcising Emily (@exorcisingemily) January 16, 2016
Stop, you can’t handle this much cuteness? You don’t even know how cute this thing gets.
She got up in the middle of the night and put her costume back on, then slept in it. Now BB-8 and R2D2 are beeping. pic.twitter.com/w5sBN2rwP8
— Exorcising Emily (@exorcisingemily) January 16, 2016
She has a speeder now, and they're about to give her a blaster for Laser Tag. Guess her codename. pic.twitter.com/VVAtQOp1CA
— Exorcising Emily (@exorcisingemily) January 16, 2016
Alright. That’ll do. Our hearts can only take so much. I wont even tell you about how her brother had to explain to her what it means to “go viral.”
Star Wars might just be a movie, but these things matter, and having a hero like Rey means something. For one little girl it means a hero, and for all of us it meant being able to share in her joy.
Which character was your hero as a child? Share yours in the comments below.
