Happy Valentine's Day!

This year in honor of St. Valentine, I thought I'd share with you a few of my favorite couples from literature.

Please feel free to agree/disagree and share your favorites in the comments.

(In no particular order:)

Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

♥♥♥♥♥

Hazel Lancaster and Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis.

But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

♥♥♥♥♥

Tommy and Tuppence Beresford from The Secret Adversary and other novels by Agatha Christie.

Tommy and Tuppence, two people flat broke and out of work, are restless for excitement. They embark on a daring business scheme—Young Adventurers Ltd.—"willing to do anything, go anywhere." But their first assignment, for the sinister Mr. Whittington, draws them into a diabolical, political conspiracy. Under the eye of the elusive, ruthless Mr. Brown, they find themselves plunged into more danger than they ever imagined. 

  

♥♥♥♥♥

Anne Elliott and Captain Wentworth from Persuasion by Jane Austen. 

Twenty-seven-year old Anne Elliot is Austen's most adult heroine. Eight years before the story proper begins, she is happily betrothed to a naval officer, Frederick Wentworth, but she precipitously breaks off the engagement when persuaded by her friend Lady Russell that such a match is unworthy.  The breakup produces in Anne a deep and long-lasting regret.
When later Wentworth returns from sea a rich and successful captain, he finds Anne's family on the brink of financial ruin and his own sister a tenant in Kellynch Hall, the Elliot estate. Al the tension of the novel revolves around one question: Will Anne and Wentworth be reunited in their love?

Valentine's Day with the Queen of Soul

Actually, it was Valentine's Night that Aretha Franklin performed at the Nokia Theatre.

She's almost 65 years old, and much has been made in the media of her size. Indeed, at times she did look like she was having a little difficulty onstage, and she did leave the stage for about 10 minutes about half-an-hour into the show.

But it was still an amazing show. She sang my favourites: (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher, Chain of Fools and (of course) Respect. She's still got an astounding voice, and boy can she play the piano. I think my favourite part of the show was her brilliant rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

The audience consisted of a wide range of ages, ethnicities, and wardrobes. There were people dressed as though they were going to church, people in Goth attire, and people in jeans. Sitting on the other side of Tod was a punk-looking young woman who couldn't have been more than 25, but she was really into the music, singing along with almost all the songs, and energetically cheering Aretha on.

I'm glad we went. It was a great show, and a lovely Valentine's Day celebration.