O-oh my. You know, I gave my okay to this, but I'm getting a bit fluttery now. Waah! ♥

Also, I'll have you know that your choice of screencaps is PERSONALLY OFFENSIVE TO ME. >( By which I actually mean they're wonderful, but so very, very heartbreaking. /sobs eternally

I mean Buffy going to hug Tara and being SO HAPPY TO SEE HER? And Joyce and Buffy and Buffy and Dawn and that shot from The Body and /FLAILS.

I'm okay, really.

and unlike most tv and movies shows I grew up with

Haaa, I think I'm luckier there. I had things like Astrid Lindgren and Fantaghiró and such.

Not in blood alone, but in bond.

That is a beautiful way of putting it. Points to Kikimay!

and choose to love

YESSS I love that aspect. Love as a choice, a conscious effort. Love can be an emotion, but it can also be a deliberate act.

I could devote an entire meta just to "Joyce's kitchen" as symbol of the Mother Principal, of Mater.

You did realize writing this that I was going to get on enabling you to do this post-haste, right. /dangles cookies

Ah, but what you already have is so great! Put like that, the Mother Principle is indeed at the heart of the show, and it is the most valuable thing to attain and practice. It trumps violence and aggression and competition. It is also the bravest thing you can do.