No idea what I'm talking about? Here's a brief synopsis of 2007 romantic comedy, Good Luck Chuck.
"Cursed since childhood, dentist Charlie Kagan (Dane Cook) cannot find the right woman. Even worse, he learns that each of his ex-girlfriends finds true love with the man she meets after her relationship with him ends. Hearing of Charlie's reputation as a good-luck charm, women from all over line up for a quick tryst. But when Charlie meets the woman (Jessica Alba) of his dreams, he must find a way to break the curse or risk losing her to the next man she meets."
The above is my life (with a male as the protagonist). You may think I'm joking; I'm deadly serious.
A few years ago, while wandering through Tesco's with my children, we bumped into an ex-boyfriend of mine. We politely caught up, I asked after his new wife and baby. He asked how work was for me and commented on how much the children had grown-up. It was pleasant & not at all awkward.
What was awkward was when my darling son asked in the middle of the clothing aisle (at the top of his voice) *"So are all your ex-boyfriends married and in love now, mummy?"*
I inwardly laughed and gritted my teeth; it was the moment I suddenly realised that as the stats currently sit, my son's question was, in fact, a statement.
Since that moment and to current day, the "Good Luck Chuck" theory is consistently reaffirmed & haunts me more often than not.
The other day I was searching WhatsApp for a conversation. I typed in the keyword and was presented back with several different conversations. This included a conversation with an ex-fling from 2016, and his profile picture was of him and his new wife (the girl he got with after me.) Although I'm delighted for him and there are no feelings there, The Good Luck Chuck taunting started again, and I began to recall the other examples of my "curse"...
1) Last Summer, my ex longterm boyfriend announced his engagement to the women he met after splitting with me. I'd be lying if that didn't cut me slightly.
2) The man I fell for last year ( I was thinking babies and all sorts) is now settled with the woman he met after me & he felt was better suited to the role of "future momma bear" - that also stung.
3) Even the 48yr old alcoholic I dated for a few months is now holidaying around Europe with his new boo. Good Luck to her.
4) The boy I rebounded with after my marriage broke down 8years ago is now engaged and has two children with his fiancé.
5) A family friend that I fancied from the age of 12 years old - 15 years old is married.
6) A boyfriend from year 8 is married.
7) The Portuguese kid I snogged on a family holiday in 2003 is probably married to a beautiful woman with two perfectly behaved children, a dog that doesn't piss in the house & shed hair, and a cat who doesn't leave dead pigeon carcasses in the front garden!!!!!
I realise that all I'm demonstrating with this blog is that I've (probably/definitely) dated/invested feelings far more than I should have over the years as well as, a slight green-eyed habit when it comes to my ex's being in seemingly happy relationships.
But do you know what the real twist of the knife is? Just like the women in the movie that use Chuck for his "curse", the men left on Tinder are only there for the same outcome (the sex not the happily ever after.)
*see my Instagram stories for regular shares of the knob head messages I get sent. Below is an example*
In the end, Chuck gets 'his perfect girl' and the audience is left with the 'warming rom-com feeling.'
So, what has this movie taught me? It's all about staying patient; keeping standards at Jessica Alba level and not being blindsided by those using me for their own gain.
If you could all wish me 'Good Luck' I'd be grateful.
Love, Chuck.
