For years, I dreaded Valentine's Day. I wanted to hate it. After all, I was single and alone. No one sent me flowers, bought me chocolates, or mailed me a card.
Despite feeling lonely on this holiday for many years, I held hope that it would be more someday. Someday happened after I met my husband. Until I met him, I usually spent the holiday watching often times sappy, sweet, and funny romantic movies. I guess I liked to torture myself. I see it as me being optimistic and full of hope.
Even though I found Mr. Right-for-Me, I still enjoy watching romantic films! They take me away and bring a smile to my heart! Here are 12 of my favorite romantic movies, just in time for Valentine's Day.
1. Ever After
If you want a more realistic imagining of Cinderella, then you'll love this story starring Drew Barrymore and Dougray Scott. Drew's stepmother and stepsisters make her life hell, and then, one day she meets a prince, Dougray. She's not impressed with this spoiled prince but, despite that, they fall in love.
2. Sweet Home Alabama
I don't know many people who haven't seen this movie, but I'm sure they exist. Reese Witherspoon is an up-and-coming fashion designer who gets engaged to the NYC mayor's son, played by Patrick Dempsey. Unfortunately, she needs to take care of some business at home before she can get married. This movie is hysterically funny and incredibly romantic.
3. Every Girl Should Be Married
I fell in love with this old film when AMC actually showed old movies on TV and not The Walking Dead. When you hear about Cary Grant films, I'm sure this movie isn't on the list; however, it's one of my favorites. Grant plays a pediatrician who meets a young woman, played by his third wife, Betsy Drake, who wants to get married. She sets her eyes on Grant and does whatever she can to make it happen.
4. Sabrina (1954)
When I watched this movie for the first time, starring Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, and William Holden, I developed a huge crush on Bogie. It's a story of a young girl in love with a young, romantic man who her father works for. She goes away for a time and comes back determined to get him to fall in love with her. Things don't turn out as she expects.
5. Fever Pitch
This movie stars Jimmy Fallon, as a huge Boston Red Sox fan, and Drew Barrymore, a business woman. Once baseball season starts, their romance will never be the same. While Fallon's acting isn't the greatest, the film had us laughing and enjoying the romance that develops between the two.
6. Sleepless in Seattle
Of course, how can I not include this classic film on my list? I saw it soon after it was released, and I continue to love it. Annie (Meg Ryan) hears Sam (Tom Hanks) discussing the loss of his wife and his love for her on a radio show. On impulse, she writes him a letter with hopes to meet him.
7. Shakespeare in Love
I love watching the romantic tale of Shakespeare as he meets and falls in love with a noblewoman who auditions for a role in his play.
8. While You Were Sleeping
I couldn't help but feel a kinship with Sandra Bullock's character Lucy at the start of this movie as she develops an infatuation for a man who goes through her turnstile at the El every day. When he's mugged, she helps him and, through a misunderstanding, his family comes to believe she's engaged to him. This movie always leaves a huge smile on my face!
9. Father Goose
This Cary Grant film is another classic. Grant plays a lookout in the Pacific during World War II. When he's sent to get a replacement, he finds a school teacher (played brilliantly by Leslie Caron) and her students. Grant's character is gruff and not interested in dealing with the nonsense that comes with a female presence, much less, kids, but he can't help but fall in love.
10. Silver Linings Playbook
I don't know what I expected when I saw this film in the theater. I didn't expect a romance. What starts as two lost people trying to put their lives together, turns into friendship and love.
11. 27 Dresses
I laughed a lot when I saw this film! One of my favorite scenes was when the main character, played by Katherine Heigl, shows a reporter (well, she doesn't know that yet) all the bridesmaid dresses she's worn over the years. This movie is fantastic fun with romance and heart.
12. Return to Me
This movie is one of my all-time favorites!! I could watch it once a week and be happy. At the beginning of the story, David Duchovny's wife dies in a car accident. He has a hard time dealing with the loss until he meets a waitress, played by Minnie Driver. This movie is funny and has a lot of heart (not meant to be a pun, but...). What makes this movie especially fantastic is the cast which also includes Bonnie Hunt, Jim Belushi, Carroll O'Connor, Robert Loggia, and David Alan Grier.
I could go on and on with all the romantic movies I love! There are many great ones out there.
What are your favorite romantic films?
This post originally appeared on Adventures of a Jayhawk Mommy.