So the time has come, and the release of Magic Mike 2 is fastly approaching theaters. I know this not because I’ve been anticipating its arrival with baited breath, per se, but because I saw a preview for it this past week. I was sitting on the couch watching a TV series with my husband when suddenly I was visually accosted by a shirtless array of muscled men shaking their money-makers.
I didn’t go see the first one, and I’ll share with you that I won’t be going to see this one either. I won’t watch it later when it arrives on DVD, and I’m sure I’ll be okay in life even though I’ve missed out on such a popular phenomenon.
Since I haven’t watched the film I can’t comment about its contents, but before you tell me what a great story line and plot it contains I’ll just say “stop.” It doesn’t matter to me in the least if Mike happens to be as magic as Harry Potter, or as kind and caring as Mary Poppins. It’s not so much how the script reads for me, but rather what draws in ladies by the dozen. It’s the way it appears, and if I’m wrong then I apologize, but it seems like the purpose of the film is to watch some fine men dance around while scantily clad. Am I wrong?
It’s not that I’m judging anyone’s decision to watch this movie, and your marriage is no less than mine if you watched the first one. I’m sure it’s just entertainment, and although the entertainment in question is shirtless dudes stripping for crowds of lusty women, in essence it’s just a movie.
In that regard everyone is entitled to their own opinion of what works best for their life. I just thought I’d share what works for me. I enjoy a great relationship with my spouse, but one of the things I always pray is that God will draw us even closer together. In that line of thinking I try to approach my marriage with my spouse’s feelings in mind, and I’m always open to ways I can improve our relationship.
Some time ago I felt that it was only respectful to my marriage and my spouse that I abstain from things that don’t honor him, and although he, and some other men out there might not mind if their wife/girlfriend takes a GNO to go watch Magic Mike, or a similar film, I have decided it’s not something that I want for my union.
I choose not to watch porn, read erotica, or watch movies where the main purpose is to flaunt the chiseled body of a man other than my husband. I’ll be the first to admit that Channing Tatum is hot, but looking at him with his shirt off just isn’t my thing.
I’ll tell you my thing. The man I have at home is who I desire to watch, and even though he probably won’t perform a strip tease for me anytime soon, he’s irresistible in my book. Indeed, no amount of bulging pecs or abs of steel can make my heart race like the embrace of my man after a long day. Nothing is sexier to me than watching my husband sleep with one of our daughters in the crook of his arm, and I can’t imagine anything more alluring than the loving smile he gives me first thing in the morning.
I feel beautiful and desirable in my husband’s eyes, and his decision to not view pornography makes me feel like I am all he needs in that regard. I fill his physical and sexual desires completely, and I don’t have to worry about feeling self-conscious in the event that he decided to go watch a movie with his friends that featured half-nude women dancing for men’s pleasure. He respects my feelings too much to do that.
He won’t be going to a strip club or watching a Cinemax flick late at night, and he knows the feeling and decision is mutual. We fill each other’s tanks in that arena, and for us it would be an affront to our vows to act any differently. There are no trust issues present, and I don’t feel the need to search his cell phone for inappropriate texts. We’ve built a relationship of mutual trust and respect, and for that reason alone I don’t feel the urge to go see something like Magic Mike. Why mess up the good thing I’ve got going?
So when July rolls around and the movie is released I’ll have all the Magic Mike I need. Right in my own home. In the form of my husband. There will be no need or desire for me to ogle at another man beyond the one that God gave me.
So do I think that if you want to go see Magic Mike 2 that you don’t love your husband as much as I love mine? Heck no. As a friend I will only suggest asking yourself an honest question. Do you think making the decision to plan a night out with girlfriends to go squeal at sexy men’s bodies is the most respectful thing you could do for your spouse?
What about this? How would you feel if the shoe was on the other foot? What if your husband went with his male friends to the theater to watch a film about female strippers? The Golden Rules applies to marriage especially, and we should never act in a way we wouldn’t want our spouse to act.
Even if you’re not married, but you are in a committed relationship you may want to ask what your viewing of this film speaks to your boyfriend. How do you think it impacts your future together, or even his decisions on what’s appropriate later on for your relationship?
I can’t say how most men feel about their significant other watching Magic Mike or similar types of entertainment, but I can say this. You will never find the magic you’re seeking in this venue, but it can be found in a solid relationship at home. You just have to know where to focus your attention and energy.
Jelly says
I completely agree with you Brie. Good for you for having the guts to express an unpopular opinion. I stand with you sister. Not because I am a prude, but because I don’t support sexual exploitation of anyone, including young men. Honestly, I watched 10 minutes of the first one completely alone when it was on cable, and I was so embarassed, I had to turn it off. If that makes me a prude, then o.k… Hi, my name is Kelly, and I am a prude
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you for commenting. ☺️
Jamie says
My prayer is that this post reaches women far and wide. Whether you’re unmarried, newly married or celebrating your 50th, there is truth written here. You need to WORK at your marriage, starting with yourself. YOU have to have a pure heart and a pure mind before the Lord. It’s hard to work with a mess…not that its not impossible…He can work with anything, it just takes longer to get the work done! Do you want to be the best for your spouse? Then come clean and present your desires to your spouse only! Not in a dreamy movie…