Always wishing your life was like a rom-com? We’re guilty of that, too: We always have heart eyes for our favorite onscreen couples. But while these movies turn us into hopeless romantics, they also teach us some pretty important lessons. If you’re a sucker for love this V-Day, here are a few takeaways from our favorite flirty films…

Lara Jean: It’s ok to be vulnerable, even if it’s scary

With the loss of her mom and her introverted nature, it wasn’t easy for Lara Jean to let a special someone like Peter Kavinsky into her life. While her love letters were never supposed to be sent, they forced her to confront her feelings. In To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Lara Jean teaches us that opening up your heart (even if it’s accidentally!) can lead to something special—and maybe even a relationship you never expected.

Mae Hartley: Love isn’t about perfection

Remember when Mae and her bestie Gabby built the perfect boyfriend? If only we had brains like them. While we all have our dream guy, love cannot be programmed—which Mae quickly learns in How To Build A Better Boy. After creating her robot BF, Albert, Mae realizes that perfection is overrated.  This movie teaches us that a guy who truly appreciates who you are is the one worth holding onto.

Sam Montgomery: Believe in yourself and love will find you

While Sam grew up in a home with an evil stepmother and stepsisters, she always stayed true to herself and went after her dream—to get into Princeton. Having a difficult home life can make life feel impossible sometimes, but A Cinderella Story shows that believing in yourself and working toward your goals can lead you to unexpected places….and maybe to your special someone.

Dylan Schoenfield: True love isn’t about looks or popularity

Dylan was the popular princess of Woodlands Academy with two sidekicks and the “perfect” boyfriend. When geeky filmmaker Josh Rosen came along to feature her in his student film, everything changed. While Josh wanted to focus his film on the truth about popularity, he eventually got to know the real Dylan. Geek Charming teaches us not to judge a book (or in this case, person) by its cover, and that high school social hierarchies are totally overrated.

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Looking for more big-sis advice? You’ll love these articles:
💖How To Talk To Your Friends When They Hurt Your Feelings
💖How To Navigate Those Tough Life Transitions
💖How To Own Your Feelings (Even When It’s Hard)

Image credits: @hilaryduffdiary, @aries_and_snake_2001, @netflixit