True contact is found in silence

For Emil Cioran, ‘true contact’ with another is the deep intimacy that emerges through mute togetherness

by Sam Dresser

Does it matter if your romantic partner is similar to you?

From traits like extraversion to specific habits, there are many ways a couple can match. New research tests whether it helps

by Phuong Linh L Nguyen & Moin Syed

It’s possible to become wiser in who you entrust with your love

Love is not merely irrational – there’s a sense in which it’s also based on reason, which means we can get better at it

by Joel Van Fossen

There’s no good reason to love each other – and that’s a relief

Loving is an unreasonable decision (we are all extremely unpleasant little beasts) and that’s what allows it to survive

by John Kaag

How to make a long-distance relationship work

Whether an hour or an ocean apart, there will be challenges, but this therapist shows how to make the most of the upsides

by Charlie Huntington

Prison letters animate Diane’s attempt to understand a distant father

Directed by Diana Cam Van Nguyen

Sweet illustrations capture women’s stories of first-time queer attraction

A film by Diane Obomsawin

A girl upends her grandparents’ ‘love story’ in this hilarious animation

Directed by Maryam Mohajer

How to think differently about love

Poets, philosophers and scientists all tell stories about the nature of romantic love. It can be liberating to critique them

by Arina Pismenny

Caregiving is the highest form of love in this powerful family portrait

Directed by William D Caballero