All You Need Is Love

In honor of Valentine's Day, Alexa (of Alexa Loves Books) and I are going to share our favorite romantic quotes, fictional couples and love songs.

Favorite Quotes 

excerpt from Variations on the Word Love by Margaret Atwood 
"Then there's the two
of us. This word
is far too short for us, it has only
four letters, too sparse
to fill those deep bare
vacuums between the stars
that press on us with their deafness.
It's not love we don't wish
to fall into, but that fear.
this word is not enough but it will
have to do. It's a single
vowel in this metallic
silence, a mouth that says
O again and again in wonder
and pain, a breath, a finger
grip on a cliffside. You can
hold on or let go."
― This has been my favorite poem for the longest time. I love the message as a whole but it's this last stanza that always gets me, especially the last four lines.

Pablo Neruda, 100 Love Sonnets
"I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul."
― I've always thought this particular line was beautiful and my BFF even used it in her wedding.

Isla & the Happily Ever After
"There's no story," I say. "I saw you one day, and I just knew."
― Of Stephanie Perkins' books, Isla is my favorite. This is such a simple quote  but the romantic in me loves the idea of just knowing someone is right for you.

Favorite Couples 

BOOK: Katy and Daemon from the Lux series 
From the moment Katy knocked on Daemon's door and he infuriated her with all his arrogance (and gorgeousness), I knew they would heat up the pages of this series. They have exactly the kind of epic, passionate love that I look for in my paranormal/fantasy books and I've re-read their scenes many, many times. They have chemistry, banter that makes me laugh and constantly push each other to be better. They just love each other wholeheartedly and have been one of my favorite couples ever since.

(Runner up: Reena and Sawyer from How To Love)

TV: Pacey and Joey from Dawson's Creek
Pacey and Joey were probably the first couple I fanatically shipped and set the standard for my favorite kind of couple (see Katy & Daemon above). Even when they antagonized each other, there was an undeniable chemistry. But I didn't think of them as a couple until Pacey tries to kiss her (in Season 1) and she rejects him (crazy girl!). From that moment, I kept hoping they'd get together and they did. I loved how their relationship unfolded. Slowly spending time together, becoming close friends, falling for each other without even realizing and then making it a reality. While bickering the whole time! Even though there have been many TV couples that I've shipped, Pacey and Joey will always be #1.

Movie: Jesse and Celine from Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight 
I've already gone on and on about my love for these movies and this couple so this shouldn't be a surprise. They appeal to the romantic side of myself that believes in chance encounters and feeling ab immediate connection to someone. What's so beautiful about these movies is that we get to see Jesse and Celine at different parts of their lives together. The unforgettable beginning in Before Sunrise, the second chance (and my favorite movie) in Before Sunset and what comes after the "happily-ever-after" in Before Midnight. While a part of me thinks the trilogy should stop here, a bigger part of me loves being reunited with this couple every nine years.

Favorite Love Songs

Norah Jones - "Love Me Tender" 

Love me tender / Love me sweet / Never let me go / 

You have made my life complete / And I love you so.

This song is so beautiful. It's originally sung by Elvis Presley but I love Norah Jones' rendition.

The Darkness - "I  Believe In A Thing Called Love" 

I want to kiss you every minute, every hour, every day

You got me in a spin but everything is A.O.K!

Who says all love songs need to be sappy? This is loud and upbeat and guaranteed to make me feel like dancing.

Sara Bareilles - "Gravity"

Something always brings me back to you / It never takes too long.

No matter what I say or do I'll still feel you here 'til the moment I'm gone.

But when I am in the mood for a sad and moving love song, "Gravity" is the perfect song to listen to.

Make sure you check out Alexa's blog to see her favorites!

What are your faves?