So glad or see some appreciation for this song. It's easy for people - including me - to weary of an overplayed song. But this song is just so... elegant, maybe? Whatever the appeal, it gets me every time. I simply can't summon up any snark for the song or the movie. It's just a lovely production, imho.

Jesus, I LOVED Madonna back then. LOVED. Like a Prayer hit in my university days. I remember a tour she did (for either that album or the previous one, I think. "Blonde Ambition" tour, maybe?) which was televised. The performance was in Europe. Anyway, it blew my mind. I saved that thing on VHS and used it as a a…

I watched the video with the expectation that afterwards, I'd be thinking the post author was being deliberately grumpy/obtuse.... But I stand corrected: That was the most hilariously insane bullshit workout how-to EVER!

Meh. Elbows Schmelbows. Everyone has their own weird angles. It's all cool.

Ha! It was just today that I was exiting the grocery store with my preschooler and she spotted two payphones. "What are those mommy?"

Canadian here, with a slightly random story.

Thank you SO much for your thoughtful and supportive words. Your mother sounds amazing! And inspirational. I'm definitely going to remember your comment about her as I go forward, and never forget how important it is to always reinforce that notion of demanding respect from the people my daughter chooses to have in…

It's hard as a kid, and as you point out, it can lead to a life time of awareness of the crappy parts of being a girl.

My god. You know, I get that kids don't know what they're saying, and that there's no harmful intent... but the mere fact that he says that and she hears it - and will now be trying to understand the meaning of his words at such a young age - is really sad to me. For his sake as well as hers. It's like a line is drawn…

Thank you. How I handle it, and hopefully reinforce her sense of self, will help. But even that seems like walking a tightrope! Making mistakes is inevitable. But I'll do my best.

A very affecting essay. Thank you.

I completely agree with your predictions!