Billy Wyatt, played by Mark Harmon in “Stealing Home,” is a washed-up baseball player who has to go back to his hometown to do something with his childhood love’s ashes. In flashbacks, we learn about both the crush, Katie, and Billy. Watching the movie, we experience the art of growing up and trying to find ourselves. After Billy’s dad is killed, Katie gives him the best summer ever. When Billy receives Katie’s ashes, he must determine what to do with them. This journey teaches him about all of the possibilities his life still has to offer. At the end of the movie, Billy says, “If everybody needs somebody to remind them who they are, Katie Chandler was that for me.” It always makes me consider what the purpose is of specific people in my life. Billy Wyatt was one of the first fictional men I fell in love with.

Westley, aka the Dread Pirate Roberts, is the farm boy turned pirate who falls for the farm owner’s daughter, Buttercup, in “The Princess Bride.” He wants her to see him how he is inside, so he spends years becoming everything he ever dreamed of so that he could go back and earn her love. When she is captured and forced into marriage with Prince Humperdink, Westley does everything in his power, with the help of his friends, to free her. He continues to love her despite her sass and less than kind behavior. A girl can’t ask for much more. Westley’s famous quote is also awe-inspiring, “As you wish.” If I can do everything with that in my heart, I win.

Jethro Leroy Gibbs is the kindest, sweetest, most loyal soul – if you don’t get on his bad side, that is. Gibbs is one of the most complicated characters ever created for television. He’s seen it all and done it all, and it has scarred him. Fortunately, he loves everything he is. We would all benefit from a stint working, living and being a friend of Gibbs. If you’ve ever watched NCIS, you are probably aware of Gibbs’ rules. He and his team often quote his rules. Many of these rules apply to the job, but most of them are also applicable to the real world. My favorite rules:
– Rule 8: Never take anything for granted. 
– Rule 28: When you need help, ask.
– Rule 39: There is no such thing as a coincidence. 
– Rule 51: Sometimes you’re wrong. 

Logan Echolls was a spoiled rich boy who acted like the worst kind of guy. He literally had all of the worst qualities; he was a complete “douche bag.” His life imploded, and the unthinkable happened; he got worse. Through it all, he was in love with Veronica Mars, but he treated her badly too. Logan and Veronica have some of the most snarky and fun banter in any television show. He is fun and engaging, and very deep. You can’t help but love him. Something happens that forced him to be a better man. Logan is proof that people can change, and we can’t be judged by what we did or who we were. Instead, we should be measured by who we are today. It is hard to narrow down the Logan Echolls’ quotes to my favorite, but I really loved, “What I’m trying to say is that I’m in love with you,” and “I thought our story was epic, you know, you and me. Spanning years and continents. Lives ruined bloodshed. Epic.” Deep, passionate love is what Logan had to offer. Truly one of my favorite fictional men.

Each of these fictional men has taught me many things about men and myself. But most of all, they provided entertainment and inspiration. If you haven’t seen these television shows or movies, check them out.