When I was 5 years old, I wanted to marry Superman (Christopher Reeve).
He was my first crush, and the '80s movies were ultimately what inspired me to be a journalist. I wanted to be a reporter just like Lois Lane (and the fact that Clark Kent was in love with her, well, that was a big perk).
I have had many crushes throughout my 32 years, many of whom are fictional characters. Some of them I am a little ashamed to admit, but others have endured even as they have aged (or passed away).
I'm sure I'll forget a few, but here are the ones I can recall for now:
Girard Christopher from an old show I doubt you've ever heard of called "The Adventures of Superboy." OK, so I was really hung up on the Man of Steel. Who can blame me?
Axl Rose from Guns 'N' Roses. You can tell I'm a product of the '80s, because I'm always a sucker for a guy with long hair. My husband's hair is longer than mine, and I hope he never cuts it.
For all you fantasy readers who may recognize the name, Raistlin Majere from Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's Dragonlance series. I'm a bit of a devil's advocate, and he was the "bad guy" with a heart of gold. Some would argue he was intrinsically, hopelessly evil - my kind of guy. But I still say he wasn't completely evil.
Speaking of bad guys in books, this next one is easily recognized by most: Lestat de Lioncourt from Anne Rice's vampire series. He was brought into existence long before Edward Cullen, but as long as we're talking "Twilight," I'm totally Team Jacob. Long hair, Native American. Go figure.
Richard Dean Anderson, a.k.a. McGuyver. It's as much about charisma as it is about looks, although when I watch reruns of the show now, I wonder what I was thinking.
I'll be impressed if you can recall Duncan Regehr, a.k.a. Zorro, from the '90s TV show. I think there was something wrong with my eyes.
John Lennon. I was only a little over 9 months old when he died on Dec. 8, 1980, but his music resonated with me as I was growing up, and his tragic end still feels very wrong to me. I admire the things he did to promote world peace in a world that seems to resist it.
More recently, I have grown fond of Loki (Tom Hiddleston) from "The Avengers." Long, dark hair, maniacal, potentially crazy and a total bad guy. It's not his fault; his family was mean to him. He's not all bad. Really.
My latest obsession is actor Simon Baker (a.k.a. Patrick Jane from "The Mentalist"). My husband, after I tell him the actor is Australian and a surfer: "Of course. That explains it." Contrary to his belief, it's not Baker's blonde locks, blue eyes and Cheshire Cat grin but his charisma that I admire the most. And the way he messes with people's minds. He does it with such flair.
There's much more where that came from, but my mind's eye is currently being distracted by the memory of Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman. Don't judge. Superheroes rock.
I'm not sure who my next crush will be, but whoever he is, he has a lot to live up to.
What's your most memorable crush? Reminisce with me at bhazen@tribto-day.com, or comment on this story at tribtoday.com.