Valentine’sDay

Petrescu Andreea Irina XI SF

C.N.”J.M.”Ploiesti

RelationshipsAncient Philosophers-Aristotle

Ancient philosophers mused over ideas of marital satisfaction, faithfulness, beauty and jealousy although their concepts and understandings were often inaccurate or misleading.[1]

Over 2300 years ago, interpersonal relationship were being contemplated by Aristotle. He wrote: “One person is a friend to another if he is friendly to the other and the other is friendly to him in return” (Aristotle, 330 B.C., trans. 1991, pp 72-73). Aristotle believed that by nature humans are social beings.[2] Aristotle also suggested that there were three different types of relationships. People are attracted to relationships that provide utility because of the assistance and sense of belonging that they provide.[1] In relationships based on pleasure, people are attracted to the feelings of pleasantness and that they are engaging.[1] However, relationships based on utility and pleasure were said to be short lived if the benefits provided by one of the partners was not reciprocated.[1] In relationships based on virtue, we are attracted to others’ virtuous character.[1] Aristotle also suggested that relationships based on virtue would be the longest lasting and that virtue based relationships were the only type of relationship that each partner was liked for themselves.[1] Although Aristotle put forth much consideration about relationships, as like many other ancient philosophers, did not use systematic methods and therefore could not conclude that his thoughts and ideas were correct.[1] The philosophical analysis used by Aristotle dominated the analysis of intimate relationships until the late 1880’s.[4]

1880s to early 1900s

Modern psychology and sociology began to emerge in the late 1800’s. During this time theorists often included relationships into their current areas of research and began to develop new foundations which had implications in regards to the analysis of intimate relationships.[4] Freud wrote about parent-child relationships and their effect on personality development.[2] Freud’s analysis proposed that people’s childhood experiences are transferred or passed on into adult relationships by means of feelings and expectations.[4] Freud also founded the idea that individuals usually seek out marital partners who are similar to that of their opposite-sex parent.[4]

In 1891, James wrote that a person’s self concept is defined by the relationships we endure with others.[2] In 1897, Durkheim’s interest in social organization led to the examination of social isolation and alienation.[2] This was an influential discovery of intimate relationships in that Durkheim argued that being socially isolated was a key antecedent of suicide.[2] This focus on the darker side of relationships and the negative consequences associated to social isolation were what Durkheim labeled as anomie.[4] Simmel wrote about dyads, or partnerships with two people, and examined their unique properties in the 1950’s.[1] Simmel suggested that dyads require consent and engagement of both partners to maintain the relationship but noted that the relationship can be ended by the initiation of only one partner.[4]

A friend in need is a friend indeedFriendship is so hard to describe in words, that you feel defenseless in front of thousands of thoughts that cherishes towards the concept. However, when you think a friend is impossible not to realize the durability of this notion.

True friendship is a rare flower, as true friend ... is that you accept the way you are and help you get better. I do not have many friends, I shall come even one true friend that he ... Friends

... is the person who supports you in trying to exceed your limits.

... is the person who cheer you when you need and supports you to not fall.

... is next to you when you most need and knows how to inspire your courage and strength to step forward on the path of life.

... is the person who remembers you when you pray and you want all the good in the world.

True friend you pray to go well and you suffer when you're unhappy.

... is someone who appreciates what you are and not what you, what you know or how you look.

... is the person to stand with arms crossed when going through difficult times but your unconditional support, without expecting anything in return.

... is someone who understands so well and that gives you the impression that the same horizons as looking in the same direction.

... the person with whom you can share your thoughts and for you to enjoy even the little things.

... is the person who is thinking of you even in moments that are not close and that will not let never clachezi.

True friend is the person who shares with you the loneliness, sadness but also joy and happiness.

Martisor

The story begins Martisorului More than 2,000 years, the time of the Dacians and Romans. Tradition says that our ancestors wore pierced coins, wicker hanging by a thread - black and white coloring. Banutii were gold, silver or metal used, indicating how rich or poor person who was wearing. White means a return to life of nature and summer heat, while black signifies winter cold. These amulets were worn on your wrist or chest with a needle, and the girls thought about it that will bring luck, beauty and will keep the burning rays of summer sun. When trees flourished, women hanging from a branch wire and the currency to buy cas, for the remainder of their skin to be white and soft. While the role of bearer of good luck charm or object of Martisorului turned into a symbol of love. At the same time, and black wire became red.

Returning even more time, remember that archaeological excavations have unearthed an ancient amulets with over 8000 years! Form of pebbles from the river, painted in white and red, they were strung on thread and is worn around the neck. The color red was on fire, blood and sun - meaning the birth and life, that woman. And white was water clarity, color, clouds, snow and cold pure - signifying the wisdom of man. Weaving cord shows the inseparable link between the two elements of life.

Bucks tradition is related, also the legend of Babel Dochia, pastor of the seven sheepskin coats, turned into a rock. They say Dochia found one day a currency, the drill-one, tied by a cord of a wool yarn - white and black - woven, wearing a neck in sign of luck.

About martisor exist, but many other stories and legends. One of them even talk about making Martisor activity that is "in fashion" today, near the day of March 1. "It was once a poor man who made all sorts of things for dolls: bows, snurulete and clothes. Then they sold in the market. One day, seeing as I had finished materials, poorly man searched the house, and all that were found two rolls of white and red thread. Not knowing what to make of them, broke them and they weave ... He was very proud of what had created. Then he made a small painting, of which attached snuruletul. And he thought: "How do I name this object? A reader, I know! I tell Trinket, because we are right in the months of March and first days. These amulets will be given to women by men as a gift! ". And so went the news about the poor man, who invented the symbol of spring. "

But of all the legends, perhaps the most interesting and beautiful is the story stout boy who struggled with dragon, the legend was born of Romanian fairy tales and their origins during all our ancestors - Dacians and Romans.

Once the sun go down in a village, taking the image of a boy. A dragon in ambush and rape of people, closing it in a dungeon ... The world is sad. The birds no longer sing, the source no longer flows, and children no longer laughing. No one dared to face him on the dragon. But one day, a burly young man decided to go to save Sun. Many of earthly led and gave of their powers to help him. Way's lasted three seasons: summer, autumn and winter. He found the castle Zmeului and started fighting. And fought for days, until the dragon was defeated. Weakened the power and injured, the brave son of the Sun released.

It rose in the sky, cheering and enjoying the world. Revived nature, people were happy, but the young man did get to see spring. Hot Blood and elapsed from wounds on the snow. And in the place where the snow was melting, white flowers appeared: snowdrops, spring Vestitorii ...

Since then, young joins two ciucurasi: one white and one red. They gives girls that I love or those close. Red means love for everything that is beautiful, reminiscent of the color of blood voinicului. And white symbolizes purity and gentleness of snowdrop, the first flower of spring ".

Easter CustomsEaster is highly celebrated worldwide in the Christian world. Yet each country has its own traditions, rituals, beliefs. Such is the case of Romania, where people have different customs, depending on the region. Thus, in Bucovina, on Resurrection night, young ladies go to the church steeple and wash the bell clapper with fresh water. Then they

wash their faces with this very same water on Easter morning, in order to look beautiful all year long and to attract young men the same as church bells make people run to the Easter morning mass.

The Easter Bunny's appearance within the Easter traditions is due to the remains of pagan rituals and deities worshipped in ancient times, this lovely animal being seen, the same as today, as a symbol of fertility. There is an old northern legend which says that, one winter day, the goddess Eostre found a wounded bird in a forest. In order to save the bird, the goddess turned it into a female rabbit, yet leaving it with the capacity of laying eggs.

There are different customs and traditions for celebrating Our Lord's Jesus Ascension into Heaven, the Ispas and the so-called "Horses' Easter". Ispas is the mythical character that is thought to have witnessed the moment of the Lord's (together with the resurrected ones) ascension into heaven.

Starting from the Easter day to the Ispas day, people greet each other by saying "Christ is risen!", and the answer to this is "He is truly risen!" On the day of the Ascension, people say: "Christ has ascended into Heaven!" and the answer to this is: "He has truly ascended into Heaven!" This custom lasts until the day after the Ispas.

There are some more Romanian customs and beliefs that may appear unusual or interesting. Such is the habit of people wearing nut leaves around their waist, because Christ is said to have worn such leaves during His ascension. Also, according to the popular belief, those who die on the Ispas day go straight to heaven. Another uncanny ritual consists of cutting hair from the cows tail and burying it in an ant hill while uttering the following blessing: "May God give you as many lambs and veal as the ants in this ant hill!"

Another superstition says that it is forbidden to give away any fire or salt on the day of the Ascension. If one gives away fire, one will be despised the whole year through, and the people in that house will be as mean as fire; and if one gives away salt, his cows won't produce any sour cream. Whatever is planted after the Ispas does not blossom or bear fruit. On the day of The Lord's Ascension, women who have recently deceased people in their families give away warm wafers, green onion and brandy for the souls of the dead, as they believe their souls would travel to heaven and they would need some supplies.

Still part of the Romanian tradition, the art of painting Easter eggs is quite developed in certain country regions. There are a lot of motifs in painting the eggs, each of them having several versions, depending on the exact region. They may also vary within the same village, or at the very same artist. Among the most frequent motifs we could mention: animal representations: bees, frogs, snakes, lambs; vegetal motifs: fir leaves, carnations, wheat ears; home and field tools: rakes, spades, ploughs; industrial ornaments, motifs taken from home industry: the cleavage formed when sewing shirts and sleeves; other: the cross, the lost way, etc. The cross, a symbol of Christianity, is represented in the Romanian tradition the same way as the Russian or Moldavian one-by a cross having other small crosses at its four edges.

Other largely spread motifs are the star and the monastery, other reminders of Christianity. At any rate, the painted eggs are meant to give us feelings of joy, astonishment, humility, reconciliation, because their decoration operates with Christian symbols or natural motifs (sun, moon, plants, animals, tools), together with all their sacred significance.

However, all the Easter traditions span around the historical fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God is alive. Come and visit Romania for Easter!

Spring – my favourite season

A blooming Sour Cherry in spring

In recent decades season creep has been observed, which means that many phenological signs of spring are occurring earlier in many regions by a couple of days per decade.

In spring, the axis of the Earth is increasing its tilt toward the Sun and the length of daylight rapidly increases for the relevant hemisphere. The hemisphere begins to warm significantly causing new plant growth to "spring forth," giving the season its name. Snow, if a normal part of winter, begins to melt, and streams swell with runoff. Frosts, if a normal part of winter, become less severe. Temperate climates have no snow and rare frosts, the air and ground temperature increases more rapidly. Many flowering plants bloom this time of year, in a long succession sometimes beginning even if snow is still on the ground, continuing into early summer. In normally snowless areas "spring" may begin as early as February (Northern Hemisphere) heralded by the blooming of deciduous magnolias, cherries, and quince, or August (Southern Hemisphere) in the same way. Subtropical and tropical areas have climates better described in terms of other seasons, eg dry or wet, or monsoonal, or cyclonic. Often the cultures have locally defined names for seasons which have little equivalence to the terms originating in Europe. Many temperate areas have a dry spring, and wet autumn (fall), which brings about flowering in this season more consistent with the need for water as well as warmth. Subarctic areas may not experience "spring" at all until May or even June, or December in the outer Antarctic.

While spring is a result of the warmth caused by the turning of the Earth's axis, the weather in many parts of the world is overlain by events which appear very erratic taken on a year-to-year basis. The rainfall in spring (or any season) follows trends more related to longer cycles or events created by ocean currents and ocean temperatures. A good and well-researched example being the El Niño effect and the Southern Oscillation Index.

Unstable weather may more often occur during spring, when warm air begins on occasions to invade from lower latitudes, while cold air is still pushing on occasions from the Polar Regions. Flooding is also most common in and near mountainous areas during this time of year because of snowmelt, accelerated by warm rains. In the United States, Tornado Alley is most active this time of year, especially since the Rocky Mountains prevent the surging hot and cold air masses from spreading eastward and instead force them into direct conflict. Besides tornadoes, supercell thunderstorms can also produce dangerously large hail and very high winds, for which a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning is usually issued. Even more so than in winter, the jet streams play an

important role in unstable and severe weather in the springtime in the Northern Hemisphere.

Spring is seen as a time of growth, renewal, of new life (both plant and animal) being born. The term is also used more generally as a metaphor for the start of better times, as in the Prague Spring.

Spring in the Southern Hemisphere is different in several significant ways to that of the Northern Hemisphere. This is because: there is no land bridge between Southern Hemisphere countries and the Antarctic zone capable of bringing in cold air without the temperature-mitigating effects of extensive tracts of water; the vastly greater amount of ocean in the Southern Hemisphere at all latitudes; at this time in Earth's geologic history the Earth has an orbit which brings it in closer to the Southern Hemisphere for its warmer seasons; there is a circumpolar flow of air (the roaring 40s and 50s) uninterrupted by large land masses; no equivalent jet streams; and the peculiarities of the reversing ocean currents in the Pacific.

The flying lesson - animals

The most worst groups of living things that fly are insects, birds, and bats. The extinct Pterosaurs, an order of reptiles contemporaneous with the dinosaurs, were also very successful flying animals. Each of these groups' wings evolved independently. The wings of the flying vertebrate groups are all based on the forelimbs, but differ significantly in structure; those of insects are hypothesized to be highly-modified versions of structures that form gills in most other groups of arthropods.[1]

Bats are the only mammals capable of sustaining level flight. However, there are several gliding mammals which are able to glide from tree to tree using fleshy membranes between their limbs; some can travel hundreds of meters in this way with very little loss in height. Flying frogs use greatly enlarged webbed feet for a similar purpose, and there are flying lizards which employ their unusually wide, flattened rib-cages to the same end. Certain snakes also use a flattened rib-cage to glide, with a back and forth motion much the same as they use on the ground.

Flying fish can glide using enlarged wing-like fins, and have been observed soaring for hundreds of meters. It is thought that this ability was chosen by natural selection because it was an effective means of escape from underwater predators. The longest recorded flight of a flying fish was 45 seconds.[2]

Most birds fly (see bird flight), with some exceptions. The largest birds, the Ostrich and the Emu, are earthbound, as were the now-extinct Dodos and the Phorusrhacids, which were the dominant predators of South America in the Cenozoic period. The non-flying penguins have wings adapted for use under water and use the same wing movements for swimming that most other birds use for flight. Most small flightless birds are native to small islands, and lead a lifestyle where flight would confer little advantage.

Among living animals that fly, the Wandering Albatross has the greatest wingspan, up to 3.5 meters (11.5 ft); the Great Bustard has the greatest weight, topping at 21 kilograms (46 pounds).[3]

Many species of insects also fly

My best friend

Friends are a very important part of most people`s lives.Who can understand you better than a friend? Well,my best friend is a simple girl named Madi, with big dreams and becausehe is a highflayer person I`m pretty sure she will succeed in everything she wants.Madi is a chatterbox and sometimes drives me crazy, but I accept because she`s my friend.I`m not goiong to describe her physically because it counts less. We have so much in common..She makes good jokes and we have fun together. Besides school,we can enjoy our spare time when we love to go out,drink a juiceand talk about girls,and why not we can go into a club and dance for hours. Although,Madi is that special person that can accept me for who I am and lend me an ear when I need to whine or complain and he is there,next to me no matter what it happens.

Nobody can understand me better than her because he helps me to solve any problem and gives me confidance.

If one of us is happy,we both feel the same and when one of us is sad we both get a face without smile.Our friendship is one soul in two bodies.

I could say that Madi knows the song lyrics of my heart and sing when I forgett them.In my friend I find a second self.

Friendship is not only one big thing it`s a millions little things.The essence consists in trust. Anyway,my best friend is my best friend,nobody can change that and nothing can compare to us. So,a REAL friend is somone who listen what you don`t say,reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

I found all that things in my best friend,Madi.

A Red Red Rose a poem by Robert BurnsO my Luve's like a red, red rose

That's newly sprung in June;O my Luve's like the melodieThat's sweetly played in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,So deep in luve am I;

And I will luve thee still, my dear,Till a' the seas gang dry:

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,And the rocks melt wi' the sun;I will luve thee still, my dear,

While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only Luve,And fare thee weel awhile!

And I will come again, my Luve,Tho' it ware ten thousand mile.

The Great LoverRupert Brooke

I have been so great a lover: filled my daysSo proudly with the splendour of Love's praise,

The pain, the calm, and the astonishment,Desire illimitable, and silent content,

And all dear names men use, to cheat despair,For the perplexed and viewless streams that bear

Our hearts at random down the dark of life.Now, ere the unthinking silence on that strife

Steals down, I would cheat drowsy Death so far,My night shall be remembered for a star

That outshone all the suns of all men's days.Shall I not crown them with immortal praise

Whom I have loved, who have given me, dared with meHigh secrets, and in darkness knelt to see

The inenarrable godhead of delight?Love is a flame; we have beaconed the world's night.

A city: and we have built it, these and I.

An emperor: we have taught the world to die.So, for their sakes I loved, ere I go hence,

And the high cause of Love's magnificence,And to keep loyalties young, I'll write those names

Golden for ever, eagles, crying flames,And set them as a banner, that men may know,

To dare the generations, burn, and blowOut on the wind of Time, shining and streaming...

These I have loved:White plates and cups, clean-gleaming,

Ringed with blue lines; and feathery, faery dust;Wet roofs, beneath the lamp-light; the strong crust

Of friendly bread; and many-tasting food;Rainbows; and the blue bitter smoke of wood;

And radiant raindrops couching in cool flowers;And flowers themselves, that sway through sunny hours,

Dreaming of moths that drink them under the moon;Then, the cool kindliness of sheets, that soon

Smooth away trouble; and the rough male kissOf blankets; grainy wood; live hair that is

Shining and free; blue-massing clouds; the keenUnpassioned beauty of a great machine;The benison of hot water; furs to touch;

The good smell of old clothes; and other such The comfortable smell of friendly fingers,

Hair's fragrance, and the musty reek that lingersAbout dead leaves and last year's ferns...

Dear names,And thousand other throng to me! Royal flames;Sweet water's dimpling laugh from tap or spring;

Holes in the groud; and voices that do sing;Voices in laughter, too; and body's pain,

Soon turned to peace; and the deep-panting train;Firm sands; the little dulling edge of foam

That browns and dwindles as the wave goes home;And washen stones, gay for an hour; the cold

Graveness of iron; moist black earthen mould;Sleep; and high places; footprints in the dew;

And oaks; and brown horse-chestnuts, glossy-new;And new-peeled sticks; and shining pools on grass;All these have been my loves. And these shall pass,

Whatever passes not, in the great hour,Nor all my passion, all my prayers, have power

To hold them with me through the gate of Death.They'll play deserter, turn with the traitor breath,Break the high bond we made, and sell Love's trust

And sacramented covenant to the dust.- Oh, never a doubt but, somewhere, I shall wake,

And give what's left of love again, and makeNew friends, now strangers...

But the best I've knownStays here, and changes, breaks, grows old, is blownAbout the winds of the world, and fades from brains

Of living men, and dies.Nothing remains.

O dear my loves, O faithless, once againThis one last gift I give: that after men

Shall know, and later lovers, far-removed,Praise you, "All these were lovely"; say "He loved"

A Blue Valentine a poem by Joyce Kilmer

(For Aline)

Monsignore,Right Reverend Bishop Valentinus,

Sometime of Interamna, which is called Ferni,Now of the delightful Court of Heaven,

I respectfully salute you,I genuflect

And I kiss your episcopal ring. 

It is not, Monsignore,The fragrant memory of your holy life,

Nor that of your shining and joyous martyrdom,Which causes me now to address you.

But since this is your august festival, Monsignore,It seems appropriate to me to state

According to a venerable and agreeable custom,That I love a beautiful lady.

Her eyes, Monsignore,Are so blue that they put lovely little blue reflections

On everything that she looks at,Such as a wallOr the moonOr my heart.

It is like the light coming through blue stained glass,Yet not quite like it,

For the blueness is not transparent,

Only translucent.Her soul's light shines through,

But her soul cannot be seen.It is something elusive, whimsical, tender, wanton, infantile, wise

And noble.She wears, Monsignore, a blue garment,

Made in the manner of the Japanese.It is very blue-

I think that her eyes have made it more blue,Sweetly staining it

As the pressure of her body has graciously given it form.Loving her, Monsignore,I love all her attributes;

But I believeThat even if I did not love her

I would love the blueness of her eyes,And her blue garment, made in the manner of the Japanese. 

Monsignore,I have never before troubled you with a request.

The saints whose ears I chiefly worry with my pleasare the most exquisite and maternal Brigid,

Gallant Saint Stephen, who puts fire in my blood,And your brother bishop, my patron,

The generous and jovial Saint Nicholas of Bari.But, of your courtesy, Monsignore,

Do me this favour:When you this morning make your way

To the Ivory Throne that bursts into bloom with rosesbecause of her who sits upon it,

When you come to pay your devoir to Our Lady,I beg you, say to her:

"Madame, a poor poet, one of your singing servants yet on earth,Has asked me to say that at this moment he is especially grateful to you

For wearing a blue gown".

 

 

Love songs

Really love a womanTo really love a woman to understand her you ve got to know what deep inside �hear every thought see every dream and give her wings when she wants to fly and when you find yourself lying helpless in her arms You know you really love a woman

When you love a woman you tell her that she s really woman �When you love a woman you tell her that she s the one �She needs somebody to tell her that it s gonna last forever �So tell me have you ever really really, reallly ever loved a woman?

To really love a woman to let her hold you till you know how she needs to be touched you ve gotta breath her �and really taste her until you can feel her in your blood when you can see your unborn children in her eyes You know you really love a woman

When you love a woman you tell her that she s really woman �When you love a woman you tell that she s the one �She needs somebody to tell her that you ll always be together �so tell me have you ve ever really, �really, really ever loved a woman?

You ve got to give her some faith �hold her tight a little tenderness you ve gotta treat her right �she will be there foryou taking good care of you

(you ve really gotta love your woman) (yeah) �and when you find yourself lying helpless in her arms you know you really love a woman

When you love a woman you tell her that she s really woman �When you love a woman you tell her that she s the one �She needs somebody to tell her that it s gonna last forever �So tell me have you ever, really really, really, ever loved a woman? Just tell me have you ever really, really, really, ever loved a woman? Just tell me have you ever really, really, really, ever loved a woman?

My Heart Will Go On lyricsSongwriters: Horner, James; Jennings, Will;

Every night in my dreamsI see you, I feel youThat is how I know you go on

Far across the distanceAnd spaces between usYou have come to show you go on

Near, far, wherever you areI believe that the heart does go onOnce more you open the doorAnd you're here in my heartAnd my heart will go on and on

Love can touch us one timeAnd last for a lifetimeAnd never let go till we're gone

Love was when I loved youOne true time I hold toIn my life we'll always go on

Near, far, wherever you areI believe that the heart does go onOnce more you open the doorAnd you're here in my heartAnd my heart will go on and on

You're here, there's nothing I fearAnd I know that my heart will go onWe'll stay forever this wayYou are safe in my heartAnd my heart will go on and on

The lady in redChris de BurghI've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight I've never seen you shine so bright I've never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance They're looking for a little romance, given half a chance I have never seen that dress you're wearing Or the highlights in your head that catch your eyes I have been blind The lady in red is dancing with me cheek to cheek There's nobody here, it's just you and me, It's where I wanna be But I hardly know this beauty by my side I'll never for get, the way you look tonight

I've never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight I've never seen you shine so bright you were amazing I've never seen so many people want to be there by your side And when you turned to me and smiled, It took my breath away I have never had such a feeling Such a feeling of complete and utter love, as I do tonight

The way you look tonight I never will forget, the way you look tonight The lady in red The lady in red The lady in red My lady in red (I love you.)

When a men loves a woman – Michael Bolton

When a man loves a womanCan t keep his mind on nothin else� �He d trade the world�For a good thing he s found�If she is bad, he can t see it�She can do no wrongTurn his back on his best friendIf he puts her down

When a man loves a womanSpend his very last dimeTrying to hold on to what he needsHe d give up all his comforts�And sleep out in the rainIf she said that s the way�It ought to be

When a man loves a womanI give you everything I got (yeah)Trying to hold onTo your precious loveBaby please don t treat me bad�

When a man loves a womanDeep down in his soulShe can bring him such miseryIf she is playing him for a foolHe s the last one to know�Loving eyes can never see

Yes when a man loves a womanI know exactly how he feels

cause baby, baby, baby�I am a manWhen a man loves a woman

Love statementsOne advantage of marriage, it seems to me, is that when you fall out of love with him, or he falls out of love with you, it keeps you together until maybe you fall in again.~ Judith Viorst.

Love is not blind -- it simply enables one to see things others fail to see.

~ Anonymous.

The greatest happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved- loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.~ Victor Hugo.

For true love is inexhaustible; the more you give, the more you have.

~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love.~ Sophocles.

Love is everything it's cracked up to be. That's why people are so cynical about it. It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don't risk everything, you risk even more.

~ Erica Jong.Famous couple

Perhaps the most famous couple ever, Adam & Eve serve to symbolize the beginning of humanity and the loss of innocence.Whether or not Eve was made from Adam's rib is another matter...

Anthony was set to marry Caesar's sister Octavia, but instead he followed his heart and chose Cleopatra.  After being defeated by Ceasar, Anthony heard Cleopatra was dead, and let himself be fatally wounded by Eros, but when the rumors proved to be false, he demanded to be brought to Cleopatra's side, where he expired from his wound.  Cleopatra, now Caesar's prisoner, decided to join her lover in death, so she called for her

servants to bring her an asp; she and two of her servants died from the snake's poisonous bite.

Barbie and Ken have been the ideal couple (according to some) for quite some time, but with no "anatomically correct" parts, how can things go wrong anyway?

O Romeo, Romeo!  Wherefore art thou Romeo?  It seems everyone in Shakespeare's plays has a major problem getting in touch with his/her lover.  If only they would wait just a few more minutes, they would be together without having to go through so so much pain.  Then again, where's the romantic irony in that?  Romeo and Juliet were, and forever will be the ultimate star-crossed lovers.