There's some things we can learn about love from fictional couples.
1. Ella and Kit - Cinderella (2015)
"Will you take me as I am? A good honest country girl who loves you." "Of course I would. But only if you'll take me as I am, an apprentice still learning his trade."
Ella and Kit accept each other as they are. They enter their new life committed to helping each other be the best they can be.
2. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy - Pride and Prejudice
"Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! What do I not owe you! You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. By you, I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You shewed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.''
A lot of the time people talk about Pride and Prejudice as if it were a fairy tale romance. No. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy had to seriously get over themselves before they were able to love each other.
3. Ron and Hermione - The Harry Potter series
"All's fair in love and war," said Ron brightly, "and this is a bit of both."
Ron and Hermione show how falling in love with your best friend can be a bit of a minefield. Admittedly, having to fight the forces of evil at the same time makes everything more difficult.
4. Rapunzel and Flynn - Tangled
"You were my new dream."
Love can turn your whole world upside down. Often, it shows us what really matters.
5. Tim and Mary - About Time
"We're all traveling through time together, every day of our lives. All we can do is do our best to relish this remarkable ride."
Relationships are awkward. They're confusing and painful, and sometimes just odd. But really it's the normal, incredible, everyday things that happen that make love beautiful.
6. Rick and Ilsa - Casablanca
"Here's looking at you kid. "
Love requires sacrifice. Sometimes, that means letting go of someone you love. Because love means doing what is best for the one you love.
7. Faramir and Eowyn - Lord of the Rings
"You are a lady high and valiant... beautiful, I deem, beyond even the words of the Elven-tongue to tell. And I love you. Once I pitied your sorrow. But now, were you sorrowless, without fear or any lack... still, I would love you. Eowyn, do you not love me?”
Love is healing. Eowyn measured her worth by what she could do. Faramir showed her that she was enough just as she was.
8. Emma and Mr. Knightly - Emma
"I cannot make speeches, Emma. If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am. You hear nothing but truth from me.... God knows I have been a very indifferent lover. But you understand me. Yes, you see, you understand my feelings and will return them if you can."
Love is patient. Not everyone has to wait years like Mr. Knightly did, but relationships take time and commitment.
9. Maximillian and Valentine - The Count of Monte Cristo
"Those who, like us, have never had a thought for which we need blush before the world, such may read each other’s hearts. I never was romantic, and am no melancholy hero. But without words, protestations, or vows, my life has entwined itself with yours; you leave me, and you are right in doing so; but in losing you, I lose my life."
Love can be consuming. When two people have lost themselves totally to each other they will go to any lengths to stay together.
10. Beauty and the Beast
“There is the great lesson of 'Beauty and the Beast', that a thing must be loved before it is lovable.” - G.K. Chesterton
Love is redemptive. Love can pull someone out of the depths back into the light.
