For those of you who’ve read my books, you know I adore fairy tales.

Of course, much of the world adores fairy tales. These timeless stories have been passed down from generation to generation and filled them with delight. Disney has made billions of dollars from reimagining classic tales with large-eyed heroines and heroes.

But, what is it about these classics that make us love them so?

For me, it’s the happily ever after. I love a good story where, at the end, the main characters ride off into the sunset and have a happy life. It’s a fantasy–that life can be perfect after all the trials and tribulations. A fantasy that makes you feel good, that all the drama has been worth it.

I love that so often two people find in each other true love. While the fairy tales are sparse on details, they give you the sense of possibility. That there are people out there who are meant for you, people who you can find in the least expected places, and it can all work out. That hint of possibility–for Cinderella to be one out of a thousands of girls at a ball to capture the heart of a prince. To be sleeping beauty and happen upon your true love just before you are cursed to a hundred years of sleep. To be Rapunzel and find a guy who happens to let down your hair.

In re-imaginings, you get to flesh out the details, the whys of how these two fell in love, of what attracted them to each other. But even in the originals, they were wonderful in that they let you fill in the gaps and create your own understanding–one that was perfect for you–of what made that relationship tick.

That’s refreshing.

So, what is it that you love about fairy tales?