Harry Potter: The Finale

I have been re-watching the Harry Potter movies all week in preparation for the final installment of The Deathly Hallows. But now that the time is here, I find myself completely dreading the cinemas and having to say goodbye to the HP cast for good.

As I re-watched the movies, I marveled at how I still had the first three movies memorized line by line, and how many tears I still had left to cry for Cedric and Albus when they died.

I sit here now, reminiscing the long lines I stood with my brother to get the books when they came out and to watch the movies when they came out. A decade later, and I am now a mother and my brother is soon turning 21. It is indeed a marvel how quickly time has flown for all of us Potterfans and I can only hope that my daughter will grow up to love the books and the movies as much as I did growing up (and growing old).

Here's to the cast of Harry Potter - yes, even to Cedric who turned around and became a sparkly vampire - and to J.K. Rowling. You have created quite a legacy and I am very proud to have been a huge part of it.

As a final goodbye, let us all follow Ella's lead and wave our wands (or fingers - if you're not as much of an HP fan to have your own wand yet) in the air when the credits roll during the final movie and say "Mischief Managed". (Streaming tears are optional.)

On a happier note, here are some great Harry Potter recipes for you to try. You'll need them once you go into depression mode after you realize that the end of Harry Potter has come and gone. Trust me.