It’s almost Valentine’s Day. If you’re like me, that means the day is of semi-interest (at best). I won’t be heartbroken if I don’t get anything. A hug will be fine! Maybe a hug… and someone to cook tea. Oh, that and maybe a flower. From the garden. Or the florist. AND CHOCOLATES DON’T FORGET THOSE…

Ha! I’m kidding, a hug is fine. But when I think about Valentine’s Day, and the goopy, shmaltzy sentiment that often coincides…. I’d rather think about other expressions of love: be they weird, quirky, spontaneous, hot, sincere or all of the above. Because life is like that too. I thought about my favourite moments that are about love and here they are. How many do you like or know? What would you add?

1. Sincerity – Grandpa talking to Olive in Little Miss Sunshine

I’ve said it before, but in case you missed it, Little Miss Sunshine is one of my favourite movies. It has such heart and I admit I’ve watched this speech by Grandpa whenever I’ve needed a little personal affirmation. Both Abigail Breslin and Alan Arkin (who got the Oscar) are tremendous.

2. Hot – Nick and Jess’s first kiss on New Girl

This kiss, late in the second season of New Girl, has gone into the television annals as one of the hottest kisses in recent years – and if you watch the video (quality not great, sorry) you’ll see why. However, for my money, what also helped make it work was the way it was written into the script: the moment comes at the very end of the episode and is quite sudden (if foreshadowed a smidge, in hindsight). The audience is as surprised as Jess.

3. Devotion – Darryl and Carol reunite on The Walking Dead

Theirs is a tight, mutually understanding and respectful relationship – with a question mark of possible romantic involvement, and that last aspect has spawned a lot of shippers! For me, their reunion after being separated is lovely – that touch of his head on her shoulder says everything. What I found interesting was the reunion between Carol and Rick – after all, he exiled her from their group (long story), but his relief is palapable. Probably because she just rescued them all. I’ve got issues with his decision, obviously!

4. Lust – Gary Oldman mashup

THIS IS FOR ME. DON’T JUDGE ME PEOPLE. HE IS THE BEST. WE ALL HAVE OUR SECRETS.

5. Just plain random – Audrey and John on Twin Peaks

So I binge watched Twin Peaks over the Christmas/New Year period, thus subjecting myself to very strange and disturbing dreams of chevron pattern flooring and the spectre of Bob in every shadow. The show is delightful and bonkers and so is the above scene. While the intended relationship between Audrey and Dale Cooper was – supposedly – derailed by actress Lara Flynn Boyle, and thus never happened, I actually liked the romance between Audrey and John. BECAUSE, C’MON IT’S BILLY ZANE. Who’s a millionaire! With his own private jet! Of course they shag in said plane, on the tarmac, without any thought to any incoming or outgoing traffic, with Pete Martell watching and waiting outside! Too weird to work? Never – that was the magic of Twin Peaks.