I Love You. I Know. Lessons in Love and Friendship by Amy Richau
I Love You. I Know. Lessons in Love and Friendship, written by Amy Richau
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The book is broken up into 5 sections: 1) True Love, 2) Family, 3) Friends, 4) It's Complicated, and 5) Enduring Love. And each section focuses on between 4 and 6 different duos in the Star Wars galaxy. The gamut of duos it covers is broad and wonderful, spanning friendships to lovers to family, including such pairs as Obi-Wan and Satine, Val and Beckett, Jyn and Galen, Holdo and Leia, Zeb and Kallus, Krennic and the first Death Star, D'acy and Tyce!!!! (check out this episode of Aphra's Artifacts for more on them), and Chirrut and Baze!! Some of my absolute favorites can be found in this list! The only one that I think was lacking was Aphra and Tolvan--but then every duo in this book was from audiovisual media so I get it, no characters only found in books or comics. I still hope against hope that Aphra's status as a purely literary character will one day change though!
Decorating the intro pages to each section are adorable little icons, each with a heart somewhere adorning it. For example, there's a TIE-fighter with a heart as the sphere in between the solar panels and a Millennium Falcon trailing hearts in its wake. It is just too stinkin' cute!
Each sub-section has a still-frame of the highlighted pair, a quote or dialogue from one or more of the highlighted characters, an appropriate title, and a paragraph providing advice relating the highlighted pair's experiences and situations to the reader's experiences and situations. And man oh man do some of these hit close to home!!! Amy Richau is a flipping genius with this book--the advice within is legitimate, sincere, real-world advice that anyone could and everyone should take!
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Below is a snippet of advice from one sub-section of each of the 5 sections and how each one spoke to me:
1) True Love--Learn how to say, "I love you" (Han and Leia): "Some scruffy-looking nerf herders may show you that they love you before they actually say it out loud! They might show their love by offering you the last bite of their favorite snack, while you're more likely to give your partner lavish compliments or write them a love letter. The key is to stay tuned in to what the other person needs." Yes!!! I've been in so many relationships where my love language differed drastically from my partner and it was so incredibly difficult because, for example, where my partner would buy me gifts constantly, I didn't reciprocate in the same way...leaving them upset and feeling unloved. It's a tricky balancing act, but if you discover that your love languages aren't the same, it's super important to have a conversation about it!
2) Family--Look for understanding (Galen and Jyn): "Happy reunions are never guaranteed, but being open to letting wounds from the past heal can bring a new sense of peace and understanding." In the past I've had major difficulties with certain people in my life that I deeply care for. But instead of turning my back on them for good and simply walking away, I've managed to get over the hurt and the pain so that we can begin anew and hopefully build something even better for the present and future. And man does it feel good to do this!
3) Friends--Find true friends (Rey and Finn): "Seek out real friends--the kind that will always come back for you and love you no matter what baggage you're carrying." I have been so lucky in life to have a handful of deeply true friends. I don't have a bunch of semi-friends that could fill out a party, but I do have people in my life who know all the difficult things I've been through and yet don't judge me or belittle me for them. I am so grateful for those few true friends in my life that are always by my side!
4) It's Complicated--Be open to unlikely alliances (Kallus and Zeb): "The person on the other side of a fiery negotiation, or competing aggressively against you for a spot on a team, may be more like you than you realize. Be open to the idea that it's the situation that's the real enemy. Change your mindset and your old adversary could well become your new ally." I know I have been so guilty of this. When someone is in a certain position because of the situation surrounding them, I've been known to be angry at the person rather than the situation. This usually involves job-related scenarios. For example, it took me two years at my current place of employment to get full-time while it's taken other people much less time than that. But it's just that the situations we were in were very different and time tables of when various people left the organization weren't the same for me and those I've held grudges against. I definitely need to heed this advice!
5) Enduring Love--Be someone's rock (Chirrut and Baze): "A relationship that's as strong as a kyber crystal is built on trust and understanding. Your partner must know you will be there to defend them without hesitation (whether it's against the Empire or an interfering relative." This can be so hard sometimes!! Especially when you feel like the other person, whether it be a friend or romantic partner, is the one in the wrong. But sometimes its just better to trust in your bond and the love you share for each other and defend away regardless.
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So, I realize I got a little personal in this review, but this advice really hit home for me. And these were just 5 of the 25 different bits of advice!! They are all spectacularly helpful in navigating relationships in the best way possible. And the advice always went so well with the Star Wars duo that accompanied it!! Bravo Amy Richau!! I can't say enough about how highly I recommend this book!
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