My Weekend Crush

One of the many things I like about Maria Bello is that she seems like a woman who could change her own flat tire, if the need should arise. It’s not a butch thing or a brute strength thing. It’s a capable thing. She is a woman who seems infinitely capable. She doesn’t need your rescuing. She doesn’t need your approval. She doesn’t even need your hand when balancing on one heel. (Seriously, it’s impressive, you should really click.) Nothing simpers about her. She can, without question, take care of herself. And that is just damn sexy. It is, of course, also damn sexy that she likes to get all handsy with Mariska Hargitay. And Carrie-Anne Moss. And Felicity Huffman. And Emily Blunt. And, well, you get the picture. I love a gal who gives good SGALGG.

I think a lot of Maria’s appeal comes from her working-class Pennsylvania roots. They show not in just a general girl-next-door-all-grown-up quality, but a roll-up-your-sleeves aesthetic that signals she’s not afraid to get dirty from a hard day’s work, or anything else that might work up a healthy sweat. It also helps that she didn’t find fame until her 30s. Girls who get famous in their 20s or, heaven forbid, even earlier take so much for granted. Now in her 40s, she has an earned beauty that is so much more interesting than the smooth perfection of youth. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather get a flat tire with. And, on the off chance that she couldn’t change the tire herself, you’d better believe that that sly grin of hers says she knows exactly how to pass the time until the tow truck arrives. Happy Fourth of July weekend, all.