Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace IV

Okay, ladies, here's our little reader-participation game we call "Marry, Date, or Dump." For the following list of names, you have to tell me (by leaving a comment) which man you'd marry, which man you'd date, and which you'd dump. I'll go last. For more details on each man, click on his name.

1. Olympic Gold Medalists: Michael Phelps, Bryan Clay, Usain Bolt

2. Famous Actors: Jude Law, Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig

3. Past Presidents: Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan

Maximus

Basics:
His name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And he will have his vengeance, in this life or the next.

Pros:
The only man (besides William Wallace) who looks good in a skirt
Knows how to work a crowd
Gives gladiators a good name
A leader wherever he goes
Will do whatever it takes to achieve his goal

Cons:
Has a slight chip on his shoulder
Is destined to die, and doesn't seem to mind
All the ladies love him
May throw a phone at you if you tick him off (sorry, couldn't resist)

Westley AKA Farmboy

Basics:

Westley is the protagonist hero of The Princess Bride, a 1987 film, based on the 1973 novel of the same name by William Goldman. For more details, click here.

Pros:
His name is NOT Inigo Montoya
Can defend you against ROUS's
Can swordfight with both hands
Has built up an immunity to poison
Answers your every request with "As you wish"

Cons:
Is a pirate by trade (when he's not a farmboy)
Is always fighting for his life, and usually yours
Has some strange friends, most of whom are ex-enemies
Will die by torture---no, inconceivable!

Just for Fun

Artorius (King Arthur)

Basics:
King Arthur is a legendary British leader who, according to medieval histories and romances, led the defense of Britain against the Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. According to me, King Arthur rocks.

Pros:
Has amazing strength (see sword-pulling prowess)
5 words: Knights. of. the. Round. Table.
Um, he's king, people.

Is the stuff legends are made of

You get to live at Camelot

Cons:
Highly doubtful that he showers much
Will never believe that you & Lancelot are "just friends"

Always has that pesky Merlin to deal with

Is long deceased, if he ever lived

Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace III

Okay, ladies, here's our little reader-participation game we call "Marry, Date, or Dump." For the following list of names, you have to tell me (by leaving a comment) which man you'd marry, which man you'd date, and which you'd dump. I'll go last.

1. Billy Graham, T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen

2. Superman, Spiderman, Batman

3. Clark Gable, John Wayne, Cary Grant

Gilbert Blythe

Basics:

According to Wikipedia, Gilbert Blythe is the rival, friend, love interest, and eventual husband of Anne Shirley in Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series of novels. Gilbert is described in the books as being very handsome, with dark, curly hair and hazel eyes. He is tall with a lean build. In his youth, he seems aware of his good looks and popularity with the girls, therefore, he was somewhat smug and self-assured. Anne's dismissal of his affections, however, seem to ground him, and he matures and is well-liked by many. Throughout the series, Gilbert is depicted as a fair, practical and reliable man, who is inclined to have a "common sense" view of things. Keenly intelligent, he has a strong wit and sense of humour. He eventually becomes a highly-respected doctor in the town of Glen St. Mary, PEI, where he lives with his wife Anne and their seven children.

Pros:

Is man enough to take all that "Anne with an E" can dish out

Doesn't go from girl to girl once he knows what he wants

Has an adventurous spirit and playful sense of humor

Isn't afraid of Marilla Cuthbert (Lord knows I am!)

Is a doctor so you can save on medical bills

Cons:

Apparently doesn't know how to use birth control

May resort to pulling your hair or calling you names

Has long bouts of Scarlet Fever and will be one more person you have to take care of (even though he's a doctor!)

MacGyver

(Blogger's Note: This man worth marrying was submitted by blog reader Rachel.)

Basics:

According to MacGyver Online (yes, there is such a thing), MacGyver is a non-violent action-adventure hero. Faced with danger, MacGyver’s first reaction is always to stop for a moment and think. Armed with only a Swiss Army Knife, a roll of Duct tape, and whatever materials happen to be lying around, ex-DXS agent, and now field operative for the Phoenix Foundation, MacGyver applies common sense and basic principles of science to imaginatively outwit his adversaries.

Pros:

Will be able to help you get out of any jam (and with only a piece of gum)

Highly intelligent and optimistic and you can tell your dad he's an "engineer"

Probably knows the words to every 80s song

Unlike most action heroes, he actually feels pain when he gets hit

Cons:

Unlike most action heroes, he actually feels pain when he gets hit

Refuses to carry a weapon (which can be problematic for an action hero)

Is in need of a new wardrobe or a guest spot on What Not to Wear

Gave men the idea that duct tape solves everything

Captain von Trapp

(Blogger's Note: This man worth marrying was submitted by blog reader Natalie.)

Basics:
Commandant Georg Ritter von Trapp headed the Austrian singing family portrayed in The Sound of Music. His exploits at sea in World War I earned him numerous decorations, including elevation to the Austrian nobility.

Looked like this in real life:
Looked like this in the movies:

Pros:
Good father
Dashingly handsome
Resistant to the Nazi takeover of Austria
Can sing and play the guitar
Can dance
Willing to give up a baroness for a nun

Cons:
Already has 7 children
Slightly rigid
Probably pretentious
May slip back into the habit of calling family members with whistle blows