Best Fictional Couples

A couple -- two people in sync, two people in love, two people who are meant to be with just the other. Two people you'd rather see with each other or not at all.

What is it that a good pair up on the big screen, the small screen, or a yellowed novel exudes? Is it the fact that what might not happen in real life, happens in the fictional world? Or is it just a celebration of love that gets us all jelly-kneed?

Is it that we see ourselves in the pair, and maybe, really, really hope for a love story like that just for ourselves? Or maybe it reminds us of our love story and how it came to be? How do we describe what a good pairing on the screen or a book does to us?

Maybe it brings to us a warm fuzzy feeling when we see that couple out there and we start believing in love all over again?

Whatever the deal is, happy couples make everyone happy - the medium is inconsequential.
In keeping with that sentiment, I'm listing out some of my favorite fictional couples of all times. Are you reading?

Movie: Gone with the Wind

Year of Release: 1939

Summary
She's the quintessential haughty, spoiled little brat and he's the arrogant Southerner who's absolutely sure of himself -- almost to the extent of being cocky. Explosive pair in the making. Their worlds are turned upside down because of the civil war and everything changes.

He loves her. She doesn't know she loves him because she's madly in love with someone else, and then he goes away... Then love makes its way into her heart. The pure explosion of attitudes and the old film charm, the clash of cultures and a constant war within a war -- that's what makes this pair an all-time favorite.

Movie: You've Got Mail

Year of Release: 1998

Summary:
When it's Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan on the screen, there is bound to be magic. I just love the ease with which it all happens. Their comic timing and the colloquial element of comedy, subtle romance, wit and sarcasm. It's like we can imagine all that happening to us.

Great story, great build up, great acting and none of the heavy-duty drama. Just a simple couple born of a simple story, living a normal life -- reading the newspaper and walking the dog and partaking of the intelligent and slightly romantic arguments. Love. Love. Love!

Movie: The Harry Potter Series

Year of Release: 2001-2011

Summary:
For me, just the heavily accented English factor and Ron's always scared/confused look is enough. But that's not what makes them one of the best fictional couples. It's the way their story happens.

She's the super smart, know-it-all girl who thrives in academic attention; while he's just trying to find his footing in the confused world of siblings and a famous friend.

But love makes its way in and lingers on. Heart breaks, dark lords and wars follow, but the confused one eyebrow up (Ron, of course) and the more than sure set face (Hermione) always make it through. Cute as ever and so, so English.

Movie: The Notebook

Year of Release: 2004

Summary:
That first intense love -- the one where you can't breathe without the other, can't keep your hands off each other, where the other person is the only reason you're alive. What happens when that love is taken away from you?

From the word go we want these two to be with each other, to the point where it's physically hurting to see them apart. Their love is passionate and intense (the kiss in the rain, guys?) and sweet and tender at the same time, and it takes us through so much.

It, of course, tells us about love in its purest form and leaves us a little sad as well, but him calling out to her, every single day by reading out their story? Let's not pretend here, any girl would die for a love like this.

Movie: Up

Year of Release: 2009

Summary:
One music video is all it took and I bet there was not one person in that theater who did not get teary-eyed or did not have a lump in their throat. Not one dialog was spoken and not one was needed, 'cause what was portrayed in that 4-odd-minute video was a love that we all hope to find some day.

There was no fancy couple and no fancy proposals, it was on the other hand, a story of the most simple proportions that spoke of true love. One dream that they dreamed together and one promise that made it all happen. How can anyone not love this couple?

1. Maria and Georg von Trapp (The Sound of Music)
2. Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund (Casablanca)
3. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet (Romeo and Juliet)
4. Tony and Maria (West Side Story)
5. Johnny Castle and Frances 'Baby' Houseman (Dirty Dancing)

6. Edward Lewis and Vivian Ward (Pretty Woman)
7. Margaret Tate & Andrew Paxton (The Proposal)
8. Bella Swan and Edward Cullen (The Twilight Series)
9. Edward and Kim (Edward Scissorhands)
10. Anna Scott and William Thacker (Notting Hill)

T.V. Series: F.R.I.E.N.D.S

Years Running: 1994-2004

Summary:
Who doesn't love F.R.I.E.N.D.S? It is no doubt one of the most popular American TV series that enjoys a worldwide, hysterical, maniacal fan following. Ross loves Rachel, she doesn't. He moves on, then she starts crushing on him.

They get together, they break up, they get back together again (for real this time), then insecurities happen, then the cheating, then the 'Once a cheater, always a cheater' dialog and scores of kisses, wavering lifestyles, dodging career shifts, fighting instincts and an Emma later, the inevitable happens.

But always without the drama, drama and more drama, and infused instead with laughter riots. Sigh.

T.V. Series: Gilmore Girls

Years Running: 2000-2007

Summary:
There's something so normal about this couple. The small town set up, the familiar places, the neighborhood, the everyday lives -- a hyperactive, fiercely independent woman, and the grouchy, lovable guy -- love just waiting to happen. And then when they finally kiss, how good does that feel? For them and for us.

T.V. Series: Dharma & Greg

Years Running: 1997-2002

Summary:
Opposites attract. Oh yes, they do. The well-bred, highly educated and in all sense of the term 'proper' man meets the bohemian/hippie, carefree, fun-loving girl. Granted, the audience is not tortured about thoughts of when they'll hitch because the serial begins like that, but it does not hamper the fun in any way.

Then the roller coaster ride that their lives take because of Dharma's antics, suffused with such wacky comedy sequences, it's just all too much. And so much love, always so much love.

T.V. Series: The Wonder Years

Years Running: 1988-1993

Summary:
Nothing epitomizes childhood romance like these two do. The innocence that comes with their age, their fights, the banter, the awkward moments, the first kiss -- everything makes you want them to be together forever.

Sadly, that is not meant to be. But you still look back fondly to the pair of them, and perhaps wish that in a parallel universe they did get together.

T.V. Series: The Office

Years Running: 2005-2013

Summary:
There's something that an office romance promises -- and that is exactly what this pair delivers.

Things happen (over and over again) that threaten that these two will never make it out together. The anticipation of the 'when' and 'how' is almost too much to take. The goofy jokes and pranks ensue, but the romance continues to bud, and though the relationship is a secret in the beginning, they manage to take it all the way through. Cute.

1. Monica Geller and Chandler Bing (F.R.I.E.N.D.S)
2. Rory Gilmore and Jess Mariano (Gilmore Girls)
3. Summer Roberts and Seth Cohen (The O.C.)
4. Ryan Atwood and Marissa Cooper (The O.C.)
5. Cory Matthews and Topanga Lawrence (Boy Meets World)

6. Mr. Big and Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City)
7. Jackie Burkhart and Steven Hyde (That '70s Show)
8. Jesse Katsopolis and Becky Katsopolis (Full House)
9. Lucy Ricardo and Ricky Ricardo (I Love Lucy)
10. Joey Potter and Dawson Leery (Dawson's Creek)

Book: Pride and Prejudice

Author: Jane Austen

Summary:
A perfect match in the true sense of the word. She is not intimidated by his power and he is not intimidated by her smarts.

The battle of wits rages on and on throughout the novel. The agony of being in love and not being able to do anything about it, the feuds and egos and no promises of tomorrows - that is how the book torments us throughout.

But when they get together, it's a foray into every girl's dream come true. And I still say...the archaic English script and the imagined accents is all the charm.

Book: The Scarlet Pimpernel

Author: Baroness Emmuska Orczy

Summary:
In this work, Baroness Orczy manages to create a heartwarming love story in the background of the French Revolution.

The characterization in the book is extremely strong -- the misplaced identities (for one) makes it one of the most thrilling reads. Percy is portrayed as a fop, married to a beautiful Frenchwoman. He loves her beyond life, but he cannot show it.

The torture and torment he goes through on account of that, and the hatred from his wife that he has to bear because of his foppish ways, is literally too hard to bear. But when she does know his true identity and the relief that a true love brings -- there's really nothing that can replace that. Nothing.

Book: Bridget Jones' Diary

Author: Helen Fielding

Summary:
This is a contemporary love story. Maybe most of us identify with it(?), I don't know; but the confused Jones and the arrogant Darcy -- we root for them, we pray for them and we maybe, probably, really do see ourselves in them.

We know that there's no Cinderella and no prince Charming anymore, but really, this is as good as it is ever going to get. Something like that.

Book: The Harry Potter Series

Author: J. K. Rowling

Summary:
I always liked them better in the books than they were portrayed in the movies. He's dealing with a horrendous past and a dangerous present, and her presence in his life gives him the support that he needs.

It works the other way too -- when she's feared to have been possessed, he saves her and brings her back alive. They like each other and it's almost like you can feel the power of their love. When they finally do get together, you know this one is meant to last forever.

Book: Where Rainbows End/Rosie Dunne/Love, Rosie

Author: Cecelia Ahern

Summary:
Best friends since childhood. Meant to be together -- you want them to be together from page 1, but is that what happens? Not really. Fate and destiny intervene, and bad luck deals its hands too, leaving the two perfectly in sync, secretly in love, but never quite there. If you've ever been secretly in love, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Decades later when they finally do get together, it's almost a physical relief that takes over you. A love as great as this one, deserves to happen, no matter how many missed opportunities it has to deal with and how many delays.

1. Henry DeTamble and Clare Anne Abshire (The Time Traveler's Wife)
2. Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza (Love in the Time of Cholera)
3. Odysseus and Penelope (The Odyssey)
4. Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark (The Hunger Games)
5. Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby)

6. Tariq and Laila (A Thousand Splendid Suns)
7. Prince Charmont and Princess Ella of Frell (Ella Enchanted)
8. Holly Kennedy and Gerry Kennedy (P.S. I Love You)
9. Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe (Anne of Green Gables)
10. Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester (Jane Eyre)

1. Jasmine and Aladdin (Aladdin)
2. Shrek and Princess Fiona (The Shrek Series)
3. Homer Simpson and Marge Simpson (The Simpsons)
4. Cinderella and Prince Charming (Cinderella)
5. Ariel and Prince Eric (The Little Mermaid)

6. Belle and The Beast (Beauty and the Beast)
7. Fred and Wilma (The Flintstones)
8. Simba and Nala (The Lion King)
9. Mowgli and Radha (The Jungle Book)
10. WALL-E and Eve (Wall - E)

So, yeah, I'm pretty sure I've not included many couples here, but I cannot go on and on. So bear with me, add your own (why not?) and... well, happy nostalgia.