I'm somewhat of a romantic. I say somewhat because I enjoy reading books about love and watching romantic movies as long as it's not too melodramatic. Overly complicated plots that keep the love interests away from one another get the side eye because I want a happy ending. 

What I find amazing about movies is that you can always learn something from them. There are nuggets of wisdom in most, even the crappy ones.  

Here's a few quotes that reflect what I've learned from some of my favorite romantic movies. 

1. Parents give great advice about love and relationships. You can learn a lot from their wisdom and life experience.

The point is, love is an adventure, Kenya. It's not a decision you make for others. It's a decision you make from your heart. Anyway, the boy's just white, he ain't a martian. Edmond McQueen to Kenya McQueen, Something New (2006)

2. Love is transcendent. To have loved someone wholeheartedly, despite the outcome of the relationship, is one of the best gifts you'll receive in your lifetime.

[reading Gerry’s last letter to Holly]
Daniel: Dear Holly, I don’t have much time. I don’t mean literally, I mean you’re out buying ice cream and you’ll be home soon. But I have a feeling this is the last letter, because there is only one thing left to tell you. It isn’t to go down memory lane or make you buy a lamp, you can take care of yourself without any help from me. It’s to tell you how much you move me, how you changed me. You made me a man, by loving me Holly. And for that, I am eternally grateful…literally. If you can promise me anything, promise me that whenever you’re sad, or unsure, or you lose complete faith, that you’ll try and see yourself through my eyes. Thank you for the honor of being my wife. I’m a man with no regrets. How lucky am I. You made my life, Holly. But I’m just one chapter in yours. There’ll be more. I promise. So here it comes, the big one. Don’t be afraid to fall in love again. Watch out for that signal, when life as you know it ends. P.S. I will always love you.” – Gerry, P.S I Love You (2007)

3. Love can make you leap, hope and fly. 

“That’s what people do. They leap and hope to God they can fly. Because otherwise, we just drop like a rock, wondering the whole way down, ‘Why in the hell did I jump?’ But here I am, Sarah, falling. And there’s only one person that makes me feel like I can fly. That’s you.” – Alex Hitch, Hitch (2005)

4. You'll have many loves in your lifetime. Music, movies or the arts..may be one of them. It's possible to love your art as deeply as you love another human being.

Sidney “Sid”: For many people hip hop was that first friend, the first to talk to us the first to understand, hip hop has always been that kind of friend to me. And like any relationship, I’ve watched it grow, I’ve watched it change.

Brown Sugar (2002)

5.  Go after what you want or you'll regret. 

Monica (to Quincy): I'll play you.

Quincy: For what?

Monica: Your heart.

Love & Basketball (2000)

6. Even a short lived romance can change your life. So maybe we should enjoy the journey of love instead of forcing all relationships to reach a specific destination. 

Carrie Bradshaw: Some love stories aren't epic novels, some are short stories. But, that doesn't make them any less filled with love. 

Sex and the City (2008)

7. If a relationship no longer feels fulfilling to you, have the courage to leave. It's okay to put yourself first. Choosing yourself isn't selfish, it's courageous. 

Samantha Jones: I'm gonna say the one thing you aren't supposed to say. I love you... but I love me more. I've been in a relationship with myself for 49 years and that's the one I need to work on.  Sex and the City (2008)

 8. Doing something, anything for love is never foolish.

Carrie Bradshaw: Aside from the space issue... why'd you move to New York?

Louise: ...to fall in love.

Sex and the City (2008)

 9. Don't be afraid to profess your love...no matter the outcome. 

William: I live in Notting Hill. You live in Beverly Hills. Everyone in the world knows who you are, my mother has trouble remembering my name.

Anna Scott: I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.

Notting Hill (1999) 

Edward Cullen: So how come Jacob Black gets to give you a present and I don’t?

Bella Swan: Cause I have nothing to give back to you.

Edward Cullen: Bella, you give me everything by just breathing.

New Moon (2009)

10. Professing your love doesn't require you to be a wordsmith. You aren't even required to be eloquent. Just say how you feel and let the chips fall where they may. 

Mr. Darcy: Miss Elizabeth. I have struggled in vain and I can bear it no longer. These past months have been a torment. I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you. I had to see you. I have fought against my better judgment, my family’s expectations, the inferiority of your birth by rank and circumstance. All these things I am willing to put aside and ask you to end my agony.

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

11. And if you screw it up the first time or several times, be like Mr. Darcy...say it again. Just don't give up!

Mr. Darcy: I love you. Most ardently. Please do me the honor of accepting my hand.  

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

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