Barbie LaMothe

I’m not an overly emotional person. I don’t cry at weddings, funerals or other celebrations. One thing that will always make me cry is commercials. Yes, I’m a sucker for all things cheesy when it comes to TV ads. Kids leaving for college, cell phone ads where long lost connections are made, Hallmark card ads, and jewelry store ads where couples get engaged in multiple languages. They don’t get past me without a sniffle or a tear.

I like that ads can move us. We’re emotional creatures and getting a reaction out of us is primal. I’m not embarrassed to admit I cry at commercials. I became one of those advertisements in real life when my daughter left for college. We spent weeks preparing by shopping for dorm materials, cleaning out her room, spending quality time together doing things we hadn’t done in years. It was like a commercial. I was doing fine through the whole process. Even after driving her to school and helping her unpack, I still felt ok.

It wasn’t until I got back in the car to go home that I found the card on the seat. Terrified to open it, but at the same time not being able to stand it a second longer without ripping open the seal. After spending eighteen years loving and nurturing this person and preparing her to leave the nest, it was finally happening. If Hallmark had been around that day, they would have had the perfect TV ad.

We all relate our own emotional experiences to things we see on television. We are creatures of our experiences, and to see others experience the same thing creates an emotional bond for us. We laugh, we cry, we share their joy and sorrow. It tugs at our heartstrings.

Have you had a Hallmark moment?

Graphic Credit:
Animationfactory.com