"Once Upon A Time,” written by Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, is a show about princesses, princes, heroes, villains, fairytales and magic. You might be thinking, how will fairytales impact my life? The reason is that “Once Upon A Time” is not simply about fairytales, rather it’s about things that are pertinent in our everyday lives like love, acceptance, and finding out who you are.

Throughout the show there are many relationships such as Emma Swan and Captain Hook (my favorite), The Evil Queen and Robin Hood, Snow White and Prince Charming, Rumplestiltskin and Belle, along with many, many more. The relationships that these characters form are usually done against the odds, whether it be because of a curse or worlds keeping them apart. The character’s struggles gave me the hope to find happiness even if at that moment the obstacles I face are hard or complicated. “Once Upon A Time” has shown me that "True love isn't easy, but it must be fought for" (Prince Charming).

My favorite relationship in the show in the relationship between Emma Swan and Killian Jones, because they have one of the most difficult relationships to maintain, especially because Emma must save him from the underworld. Their struggles are relatable to anyone in a real-life relationship. Life is hard and happiness is not going to come knocking on your door, you have to fight for it and create your own happiness.

The show is also about finding who you are. There is a quote said by Emma Swan "People are gonna tell you who you are your whole life. You just gotta punch back and say, "No, this is who I am". You want people to look at you differently? Make them! You want to change things, you're gonna have to go out there and change them yourself, because there are no fairy godmothers in this world." This quote is very true because the real world is tough. There are no magical beings who can grant your wishes. So if you want to find happiness you have to create your own.

Another aspect of the show that deeply affected me was the fact that no character is purely good or purely bad. There are good people who make bad choices, and bad people who make good choices. Everyone has the choice to be good, bad or anything in between, and they should not be labeled as a villain because a few bad choices. Belle’s strong willed character in particular has taught me that no one decides my fate but me. Sometimes, I feel like there is either someone or something that fights against my ability to be happy, but in reality only I can make choices to make myself happy.

Throughout the first season, Emma Swan is an abandoned girl who never knew her parents or her family. When she finally is reunited with her parents she was given the love that she was missing all along. She finally felt accepted after her whole life of feeling unwanted. But even before she was reunited with her parents she was able to find love, friendship, and happiness all on her own. I relate to Emma Swan, even though I have a family, I feel that I am different, or that I am unloved, but I only had to realize the only person that needs to love me, is myself, and if there are friends and family who love me and care for me, then that is even better.

"Once Upon A Time" is about love, making your own happiness, and being who you want to be. The show has taught me that feeling loved and being happy are a choices that need to be fought for, because it is so easy to have your happy ending taken away.