and What They Taught Me About Love
We’ve all heard it before – “He’s the Ross to my Rachel,” or the “Chuck to my Blair.” We all can’t resist a good love story, and watching our favorite television couples find love with their perfect partner is no exception. It’s also no surprise that television shows can help create our expectations and sense of romantic relationships in our own lives. Good or bad, television can impact your life. And, personally, I know that several shows had a part in shaping the kind of relationship I hoped to have someday. So this week, I’m sharing my top five favorite TV couples and what they taught me about love.
1. Marshall and Lily from How I Met Your Mother
First on the list is Marshall and Lily from How I Met Your Mother. While the show was all about Ted finding his true love, it was Marshall and Lily that I looked to as relationship aspirations.
Yes, there were times I was mad at Lily (we just don’t talk about that whole leaving Marshall and moving to San Francisco bit). But overall, their love story was real, they were fun, and they always acted as a team. From their over-the-head high-fives to their journey to becoming parents, they loved each other. But more importantly, they were also each other’s best friends. I loved the way that they could tease one another, but also deeply trusted one another. They didn’t judge each other for mistakes and communicated. And even after over a decade, had fun together.
Marshall and Lily taught me a lot about love. For one, they taught me that love is about accepting your partner, quirks and all, and loving them unconditionally – even when times get tough. They also taught me about communication and compromise, as evidenced by their “Pause” technique when engaging in conflict. They showed me that it’s possible to continue growing as an individual, even when in a relationship. Moreover, how to encourage your spouse to pursue their own passions and interests without it driving you apart. From them, I also learned how important the little, seemingly insignificant things can be. Plus, that what’s essential in a relationship isn’t being perfect, but choosing each other every day.
2. Jack and Rebecca from This Is Us
Next on the list is Rebecca and Jack from This is Us. (And no, it’s not just because I love Milo Ventimiglia).
First of all, I think that both characters were just written so beautifully. I loved the flashbacks where we got to learn more about them before they met, in the early stages of their relationship, and before having kids. We see their hopes, dreams, flaws, and more, and we still love them.
You can learn a lot about love from Jack and Rebecca Pearson. For one, their complete and total commitment to one another, even when it’s hard. They also frequently practice forgiveness, and Jack especially demonstrates what it means to sacrifice for one’s spouse and the family’s well-being. I also always loved how they actively tried to see the best in one another. They accepted the parts that aren’t so great. Finally, they taught me what it means to pick someone not just as your spouse, but as the person who is going to build a family with you. Through their family traditions, fierce love for one another and each of their kids, and ability to tackle any parenthood challenge together, I learned that love isn’t just about finding the person you want to wake up with, it’s finding the person you want to create a family with.
3. Nathan and Haley from One Tree Hill
It wouldn’t be a complete list about my favorite TV show couples without mentioning one of the GOATs, Nathan and Haley from One Tree Hill.
It’s not often that high school sweethearts make it long term, especially not on TV shows. But Nathan and Haley showed us that it’s possible. While they might have been an unlikely couple at the start, they made it work. Of all the OTH couples, and Lord knows there were many, Nathan and Haley epitomized love in so many ways.
For one, their ability to support one another’s dreams and individuality without feeling threatened was always something to aspire to. Minus a few hiccups here and there, they always had complete faith in one another. Not just in terms of trusting each other not to be unfaithful, but in that they believed that the other could achieve every dream they set out to. As someone who found herself in her own Nathan and Haley-esque relationship (my husband was popular and an athlete, I was a theatre kid who obsessed over her grades) they also taught me that when it’s meant to be, you can always overcome any differences to make it work.