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.
Ahh….love a happy love story…..Joanne Woodward kept Paul Newman on his toes….I’ve seen interviews with them together!!
http://vodkaandarose.blogspot.co.uk
So cool. I would love to see an interview with them!
I loved this post! So cool!
Awesome. Thanks, Katerina! And Happy Valentine’s Day to you!
Beautiful, this made me smile 🙂
Mission accomplished. Happy Valentine’s Day, Simone!
What about the Lovings? A real American lovestory. The couple even has their own holiday. I can’t believe you left them out!
Thank you so much for your comment. I just refreshed myself on their story and their landmark civil rights case on wikipedia. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loving_v._Virginia) Yes — a wonderful addition to our list of inspired love stories!
You’re welcome! This was a fun and lovely post!
I’d love to add to this list – Jesse and Celine of Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight! And this one is sad but great nonetheless – Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov (Soviet figure skating pair – Olympic gold medalists from the 80s-90s).
Great additions. I wasn’t familiar with Ekaterinaand Sergei so I just looked them up. Theirs looks like an amazing love story! Might have to pick up that book… thanks for sharing, Mia!
Are you referring to Gordeeva’s memoir, “My Sergei”? If so, YES read it! Just have some tissues handy 🙂 And if you look up their skating programs from both Olympic games on youtube, knowing their story makes you appreciate their skating even more. (obviously I’m a big fan 🙂 )
wow jennifer that first love story made me cry like a baby. and helen and les brown, absolutely heart melting. thanks so much for sharing <3
You’re welcome, Molly! Hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
What a wonderful post! The first story was so poignant…proving true love must exist.
With the Olympics full swing, I had remembered this week, the Soviet figure skating pair that
had won gold in the 80s-90s. They were the perfect couple and a true Shakespearean
tragedy.
Thanks, D! Yes, you are the second reader to mention the soviet skating pair, Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov. Can’t wait to explore their story for myself. Happy Valentine’s Day!
The first story is so beautiful – thank you so much for sharing.
So pleased to have an opportunity to share their story on our site and delighted to see that so many of you clicked through the link! Happy Valentine’s Day.
thanks for my valentine present, Jenn — that photo of Robert Redford, looking absolutely beautiful!
Ha! You are so welcome, Violette! We definitely had a moment of collective appreciation for him in the office. 😉 He’s one of my favorite directors, as well — I just think “A River Runs Through It” was a work of art.