Tuesday, March 1, 2011

What Is It With Love Stories?

So, I've been pondering all the important questions of the universe: what's for dinner, why don't my pants fit right (I have a sneaking suspicion that these two are somehow connected), and what is it with love stories (probably not connected, but who knows)?

Don't we all love a good romance? Seriously, even you men. Now before the egg starts flying (Hmmm eggs for dinner?), I don't mean to imply you men like romance novels or anything damaging to your manness, but admit it, you like a story with a romantic element. I mean, didn't Trinity spice up the Matrix for you?


And who would Jason Bourne have been without his love interest? See, guys like romance. Girls? Yeah, that's a given.

Now, even my own Kid C has discovered the joy of having a sweetheart. Earlier this week the little guy came to me and Hubby with a giant smile spread on his face like he'd woken up and discovered an extra Christmas or something. He gave us both hugs and told us he had a girlfriend. See, Christmas-for him.

Not so much for me. I admit, I panicked a bit. He is pretty young after all, and we tend to shelter him a bit with his disability. His body may be twelve, but his mind isn't.

It went like this:

Me experiencing mild heart palpitations: What?

Kid C just grinning: *grin*

Me growing a smile because his is so darn contagious: You have a girlfriend?

Him: Yup.

Me hiding a giggle, because I can never resist a good love story for long: Who is she?

Him just reveling in the moment.

Me: Is she in your class at school?

Him: Nah.

Me getting into it because I also love a good mystery: What's her name?

Him hugging his ever-present stuffed baby elephant: Rapunzel.

Me savoring the moment of Kid C's cuteness: She is pretty.

Him: Uh huh!

Christmas after all.

I mean, what's not to love? She's nice, she's led a sheltered life, she has great hair, she has a pan and knows how to use it (maybe she knows what's for dinner), she even carries an animal around on her shoulder. So does Kid C, the animal part, not the pan because that would be less safe for everyone. Really. But his baby elephant rides around on his shoulder like it's an extra appendage. Yup, this is a match made in Kid C heaven.

So, spill, what lures you to a love story? Why are we such suckers for them? What draws you to a character in a book? And what is your favorite romance ever?

16 comments:

Elena Solodow said...

Jack and Rose will always have a special place in my heart. I love seeing how people can connect and love one another. It's just darn sweet. Can't help it!

Jonene Ficklin said...

Aw! Now that's cute! I just love any kind of love story, as long as it rings true. And I have too many favorite to list, but if I have to pick one, I'd pick the story from Ladyhawke. Great post!

Carolyn V said...

I love a good romance. My favorite? That's a hard one, there are so many good ones.

Cherie said...

They make a cute couple :-).
Although this left me feeling like there has been some movie release that I'm unaware of, imagine that.

Clancy said...

Very cute post, Leisha. I like love stories because they don't exist for me anywhere but in books and movies. Fav: First that came to mind was French Kiss.

Hermana Maw said...

Elena, I can't help it either. But what a wonderful affliction.

Jonene, Ladyhawke is a good one.

Carolyn, it is hard. Each one is delicious for it's own ingredients. :)

Cherie, they do make a cute couple and you should check this one out. You would like it. Promise.

Clancy, Hunter's not too bad either. ;)

Jolene Perry said...

IT's all about loving the characters for me :)

Donea Lee said...

Ah, my daughter and I loved Tangled! Your Kid C's got great taste ~ :) Loved this.

Ah, love. I prefer the happier, not too doomed or tortured love stories, where's there's a real chance for happily ever after. Especially the one's where they are friends first. I'm racking my brain for books with this story, but I'm coming up movies: While you Were Sleeping, Sleepless in Seattle, Never Been Kissed, Practical Magic, to name a few....

Mary Gray said...

Aw, your son has great taste! And I'm a sucker for Trinity and Neo's relationship. I'm such a Matrix fan.

Mary E Campbell said...

That's so sweet - loved Tangled. My 9yo has a total crush on Selena Gomez from the Wizards of Waverly Place and my 3yo has a crush on Dora the explorer. I don't know how I'll handle the real thing.
I agree that every good story has a romantic element to it. I'm not picky - I love most romances in movies and stories.

Lydia Kang said...

I love a good romance in my story. I think that's why I liked the Matrix but not the two sequels. Neo and Trinity are together by then. Where's the romantic conflict? There's not much.

Amie Borst said...

awh. what a cutie you have :) rapunzel IS pretty ;)

Hermana Maw said...

Jolene, that is so true. If I just want to slap a character I'm really not into their romance.

Donea, ill fated love has too much bitter with the sweet. I'm with you on that. :)

Mary G, he does have pretty good taste. He he.

Mary C, Selena and Dora are awesome too. Isn't it fun to have such cute kids?

Lydia, that's the problem with sequels. How do you stretch out the romantic tension with out destroying the love from the first book/movie?

Amie, AND talented. He he. :)

Anonymous said...

My sister is single and 24, and I am hopeless anytime she wants to tell me about the latest guy she's dating. I drop everything to hear every last detail and am always far too eager to proclaim, "This is THE ONE!" I ooh and ahh and sigh with every story she tells about him. I've even gotten teary-eyed over it.

But why? I think it definitely comes from caring about my sister so much and wanting her to find someone as awesome as she is (luckily she dates incredible guys). It's also from the experience of gaining other sibling spouses and loving the way they bring extra personality to the family and complement/enhance the personality of the spouse. So with love stories in fiction, I think it's the same way: I have to care a lot about the characters first and then be intrigued to see how their personalities will work together to make them both more "whole."

Anonymous said...

That is so DARLING! What a cutie! I admit, I haven't seen Tangled yet but everyone keeps telling me to go. I should listen, huh?

My dudes aren't at the point of love interests, yet--though they did both ask the same girl to dance at school. And then fought over her. She loved it.

Hermana Maw said...

Nikki, I love that. It's so true. If I don't care about the person/character the love story doesn't lure me in. :)

L.T., I bet she did. No boys ever fought over me. Is that why we enjoy the love triangles in books? He he.

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