What’s so special about first love?

Ally and Noah from ‘The Notebook’ sharing a romantic boat ride.

The Notebook

Ally and Noah from ‘The Notebook’ sharing a romantic boat ride.

Lucy Lu, Photojournalist

To most, their first love will forever hold a special place in their hearts even when they separate. What is it with first loves that make them so special? To many first love is an exciting new chapter in their lives and it’s something that people of all genders and cultures have in common. It is a unique experience that helps you grow, learn, and mature. It is a concept that is often used in movies as the audience just seems to love it.

A famous first love example is Romeo and Juliet played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes from the film ‘Romeo + Juliet’. They portray the story of two young and naive teenagers that impulsively begin a relationship where they both fall deeply in love but are forbidden from being together due to their feuding families. Though this film ends in tragedy many still consider it a great love story.

Another famous film is ‘The Notebook’ by Nicholas Sparks. It tells the story of Noah and Ally who come from different backgrounds. They are each other’s first loves and reunite after going against social and class barriers. The characters overcome several challenges throughout the film, and their love finally triumphs.

One common thing these two films have in common is that the couples were both each other’s first relationships which allowed them the opportunity to go through experiences and learn together. This also means everything they went through was made more exciting as it’s a new experience.

On Netflix ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ is an adored movie series that covers the love story of Laura Jean and Peter Kavinsky. They communicate through problems effectively and navigate the complexities of their relationship with maturity and understanding. Especially in the first film, where their pretend relationship turns into something real. Lydia Lin (9) a student at YL watched the show and agrees “Most people can agree they all want love like theirs.”

In conclusion, first love holds a special place in people’s hearts and is often cherished even after separation. First love is a unique experience that supports personal growth, learning, and maturity. Its appeal is not limited to real-life experiences but is also seen in popular culture, as shown in movies like ‘Romeo + Juliet,’ ‘The Notebook,’ and the Netflix series ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.’ It is a universal concept that captures the audience’s fascination and resonates with their desire for a love that is passionate, genuine, and enduring.