When you think about it, love is too small a word to cater for so many different examples of affection. Thankfully, art succeeds where diction fails, and one artist has made it her mission to rebrand the concept of love through a highly accurate series of beautiful illustrations detailing the realities of a regular relationship.
Using her own relationship as inspiration, Amanda Oleander’s account features the beautiful, the funny and the downright depressing life moments that characterise every single union. Here are our top 10 picks from her delightful series:
1. There is never just ONE goodbye embrace
Amanda’s caption reveals our collective thoughts at the end of a good date together: “even after the door is closed, sometimes we wish we can have one more embrace.”
2. Honey, I ran out of underwear
Apparently this one started with a simple query one morning: “I don’t have any comfy clean underwear can I borrow a pair of boxers?” Let’s be real, a relationship is not official until you’ve appropriated sets of underwear and socks from your partner.
3. When your partner’s reactions are more entertaining than what’s on TV
No film, series or game is ever as entertaining as your partner’s reactions to it.
4. An embrace goes a long way
Things don’t always go as we’d like them to, but a warm embrace from your loved one is guaranteed to alleviate the stress of a bad life situation.
5. Nothing says love louder than the appreciation of hairy legs
You know the love is real when you reach the stage of feeling comfortable flaunting your less appealing side without fear of rebuttals.
6. Long hair ain’t attractive when in bed
Spooning to sleep is undoubtedly one of the best aspects of a relationship, yet this illustration reveals the unspoken reality of most men in bed.
7. Being completely open
According to Amanda, giving your complete all to your partner and letting them into your deepest thoughts, experiences and self is one of the deepest forms of love. And we’re inclined to agree.
8. Turning into couch potatoes together
Weekends are not so much about dressing up and going out anymore as they are about sitting at home in front of the TV, rubbing each other’s feet and munching on snacks.
9. Cooking is never just a 30-minute affair
The original aim for splitting household chores is to have more free time to spend together, but when you’re in love, preparing a quick, week-night dinner could turn out to take longer than expected.
10. Midnight food and film binges
The term adventure also gets rebranded: sometimes the more exciting nights are those spent warm in bed, chowing down food with a film or series in the background.
Which drawing is your favourite?