In case you haven’t noticed, Valentine’s Day is considered a Major Holiday in this office. Is it redundant to say that, well, we love love? This February 14th we’ve gathered our favorite love stories—real, fictional and embellished—to share with you. These are the stories that inspire us and make us believe in crazy, awesome, powerful love. Did we miss any of your favorites? Do you have an amazing real life love story to tell? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Taylor Morris and Danielle Kelly
Their amazing real life love story (presented as a humble imgur album) renews our belief in the incredible power of love.
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Patti and Robert
It’s one of the most poetic, romantic, intensely beautiful love stories we’ve ever read. Patti Smith shares the rich secrets of her journey with artist Robert Mapplethorpe in Just Kids—a story for those who believe in soul mates, magic and that life itself can be art.
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Buttercup and Westley
The book that William Goldman wrote for his daughters would later become the movie that still appeals to our inner child. And the older we get, the more we understand the power of extending a simple “as you wish” to the ones we love.
Paul and Joanne
We’re still fascinated by the legendary 50-year Hollywood marriage of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Thanks to pinterest this playful and stylish couple has captivated a new generation—and we’re convinced they were the real deal.
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Noah and Allie
Come on. You knew we wouldn’t leave it out. The genesis of Ryan Gosling as a leading man and (arguably) THE most chemistry caught onscreen between two people, ever. The Notebook makes us want to find a love like Noah and Allie’s (and for Ryan and Rachel to get back together! Please.)
Helen and Les Brown
They were born on the same day in 1918, eloped against their parents wishes and celebrated over 75 years of marriage before passing away within one day of each other last year. Helen and Les Brown make us believe soul mates do exist.
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Katie and Hubbell
Sydney Pollack directed mega-talents Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford in 1973’s The Way We Were—a movie still sharp enough to shatter hearts with real-life love and longing. We’ll never get over you, Hubbell.
Jay-Z and Beyoncé
They’re impossibly rich and famous, but the behind-the-scenes glimpses of our two favorite glitterati have us convinced that this couple is really, really in love.
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Johnny and June
“This morning, with her, having coffee.”
Look. All we really want, at the end of the day, is to find somebody to love us like Johnny loved June.
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William and Kate
Never has there been a couple we rooted for more than the down-to-earth college sweethearts who (unlike their parents) took things slow. We were rewarded with a near perfect royal wedding, and a renewed belief in happy endings.