Being in a relationship is the best. Especially in the beginning, when it is all roses, unicorns, and rainbows. However, the path from falling in love to loving someone can be awkward.
A super talented illustrator Amanda Oleander created amazing drawings that show what it means to love someone fully. Her work is a picture-perfect of intimacy, at its rawest. It is not about being the perfect couple but about being the most authentic.
From ultra-sweet to hilariously weird moments, we believe every couple in a genuine relationship will recognize themselves in Amanda Oleander's illustrations. Check them out. We got plenty!
#1 The Heat It On!
Every couple has been there – he's hot, and she is cold.
While your boyfriend is dripping sweat, you wonder what the heck is wrong with him while trying to put on just one more sweater over your sweatshirt.
#2 Couples Who Brush Teeth Together Stay Together
The thing about coupling up is that you can quickly turn even the most random activities into something sweet and romantic.
Take brushing teeth, for example. It is no longer something you do on autopilot. Brushing teeth next to your boo feels so… magical!
#3 Drooling On A Plane Never Felt So Good
Face it: traveling alone might seem like a good idea, but you have to stay awake. You do not want to end up drooling on some random person's jacket. It is both gross and embarrassing.
But, when you are traveling with your boyfriend (or girlfriend), you have a perfect spot to rest your head on. And, in case you drool a bit, they will playfully tease you. A win-win situation for your romance!
#4 Prove Me Your Love, Baby, Now!
One of you has to be addicted to your cell phone. So, your boy is busy with his best friend's "emergency," yet you want to snuggle. You would do anything for his attention, right here, right now.
While snuggling is wonderful, give your partner a time out. Even if that means they are in bed, checking the news, it only means they are comfortable enough to do their bedtime routine when they are next to you.
As long as he is not hiding his phone, you are golden!
#5 Growing Together Equals Balance
What makes a couple stay together until the end? Apart from love and respect, you have to grow at a similar pace.
Sometimes, your loved one might need more encouragement or kindness. If you give them what they need, the results will be two individuals, nailing adulting together, winning at life.
#6 Boys Will Be Boys. Or Will They?
Your wonderful, amazing boyfriend and his buddies are stuck on level 20123. Yes, men love their toys, no matter how old they are.
Sure, you think your sexy outfit will do the trick, but it won't. So, save yourself the trouble and let him have his game night. In the meantime, you could have a girls' night out.
Compromise!
#7 Living Together Means Living In Furballs
There is hair everywhere. Most guys don't understand that getting a live-in girlfriend is similar to adding a cat to their apartments.
First of all, gals are sneaky. Secondly, there is hair, and they do not care.
Women!
#8 Feeling Playful?
In healthy relationships, no one plays games, right? Wrong!
Couples who share passions are more likely to stay together. So, if you were Mario fans, you don't need much to have a fabulous night.
A glass of wine, Nintendo, and let the good times roll!
#9 Helping Hands Everywhere
Remember that whole balance thing? Well, it seems that it is vital for a healthy relationship.
If you noticed that your lover is tired, do the dishes and don't think of it as doing them a favor.
Instead, you are helping someone you love, and you know that they would do the same for you!
#10 Netflix And Couch Potatoes
Your life as a couple will not be filled with adventures.
Instead, all the little, common things will make you feel closer, like spending a whole day stuck to your TV, snacking, cuddling, and joking around.
By the end of the day, you will feel like couch potatoes, but you wouldn't want it any other way!
#11 Your Kind Of Date Night
Sure, couples who deeply care for each other go for romantic dates, but most of the time, your date nights look like takeaways and pajamas.
Even without the pandemic, living with someone means being comfortable enough to wear your old clothes and eat like no one is watching.
#12 Ice Cubes On The Feet? No, Just A Bad Circulation
So what if you are all warm and cozy and you just started living together, yet your lady has ice cubs on her feet?
It doesn't matter that the rest of her body is perfectly normal. Her feet are freaking you out, but you know what?
Be a good partner, and warm her up. It is not like she intentionally brought an ice bucket to bed.
#13 Pimple Popper
Some people cannot help themselves. When they see a pimple, they have to pop it.
It is always kind of nice to know that someone loves your pimples, but at the same time, you know that after their treatment, you will look like you hit puberty for the second time.
What can you do? Nothing, except letting your loved one have their way with your zits.
#14 Making Brunch Together Feels Like Home
It's the weekend. You got plenty of sleep, and now you two can have some fun in the kitchen.
Create your own rituals, like making brunch every Sunday. Just you two, and the smell of fresh pancakes, waffles, or whatever it is you crazy kids are into.
If one of you had a touch week, the other could make breakfast in bed. It's the little things that make being in a relationship so magnificent!
#15 Goofy Recordings For Family Gatherings
He claims he doesn't snore. Yet, your boyfriend is drooling and making weird noises as he's taking his power nap.
Well, well, it is time to present him some hard proof. And if the video isn't too disgusting, you could use it during family gatherings. Not to humiliate your partner, but to show that you two have fun even when one of you is asleep!
#16 Taking Matters Into Her Hands
To be fair, many husbands are also hairdressers, especially during the pandemic.
We are all doing our parts, and with many businesses closed, we have to get creative.
Some enjoy these new roles a bit too much, but it is just hair; it will grow back.
#17 Speaking Of Hairy Stuff
You love your girlfriend's long locks. Well, most of the time.
Waking up in the middle of the night, fighting for air, as her long hair is tickling your throat, is not your idea of a good time.
The next time, let her be the big spoon. And put a long wig on your head, just to let her know what you're in for every night!
#18 Moving In Is A Bold Move
One of the biggest tests for any relationship comes after a few months of living together.
Moving in is a huge step, and if you love someone, it's the step in the right direction.
It is also a great way to get more intimate, truly learn about your partner's needs, habits, and learn to coexist and combine styles—both of your living space, as well as your lifestyles.
#19 Cactus Legs Alert
You know your gal is relaxed and comfortable with you when you get to feel her cactus legs.
A few days after shaving, once smooth legs turn into a minefield. There is not much a guy can do but accept that his lady's legs will be silky in no time.
#20 Long-distance Love Is Worth It
Long-distance relationships are difficult. You want to smell, hug, taste your person, but you are stuck with a laptop or a phone screen.
Sure, it is challenging, but it must be worth everything if it is genuine pure love. Look at it as an obstacle, and if you overcome it, you two will only grow stronger.
#21 Rubbing with claws
Guys are simple: they take a nail clip and somehow end up with perfectly socially acceptable toenails.
Us, ladies, try home pedicure and end up with claws. Sometimes, if we are comfortable enough, we will give you notice.
If not, just accept that it is part of our charm.
#22 The Moment Every Guy Regrets Saying "scratch My Back, Gently, Baby"
We know that our men love our nails. It is not that guys want to stare at them. They simply enjoy tender cuddling and even softer scratching.
But, oh, wait! There is a zit, and it has to pop! Yup, that is how a female brain works.
We are obsessed with pimple popping, and it is our unique way of showing that we accept you.
Even if it hurts you!
#23 Put The Ring On It!
Apart from popping zits, there comes the time when one might feel it is time to pop the question. It is a natural progression of most happy relationships.
Getting on one knee may come as a complete surprise. It may be spontaneous. Or something with special effects.
Either way, it is not about the ring or how you pop the question. It is all about confirming that you found your person.
If you love it, put the ring on it!
#24 Will it be The Bachelor or The Real Housewives?
Sharing interests is important, but you know what even more fun is? Trying to understand your lover's obsession with reality TV or a vampire series.
We all have guilty pleasures, and sharing them with our SO is a moment of true intimacy, even if it is about rich housewives doing nothing but filming their faux drama.
We all know that men secretly get hooked on our guilty pleasures, even when we are over them.
#25 A Hug A Day Takes The Stress Away
Nothing beats an unexpected hug from the one you love the most.
If you had a stressful day or are busy with doing chores, a sudden embrace is a subtle reminder of what matters the most.
Guys need to know that we appreciate hugs, as they relieve stress and make us feel desirable, anytime, any place.
#26 Hugs Are Great, But So Is Sniffing
You know he loves when he can't stop sniffing you.
Guys enjoy smelling their ladies' hair, both in private and in public.
Just like with hugs, there is an additional reason why this is a welcoming habit.
Sniffing hair or a piece of clothing of your loved one has a calming effect. Love is full of beautiful yet weird surprises!
#27 You Are My Safety Blanket
When the world seems upside down, there is nothing more soothing than turning yourself into a blanket for your partner.
You make each other feel safe, and these embraces can take away all the worries and give you both a good night's sleep.
#28 Making It Through A Movie Together Is Difficult
You finally got him to sit down and watch your favorite rom-com. He even made popcorn. So, why did you fall asleep?
Sometimes, a woman needs her beauty sleep more than anything. But, in most cases, the reason you so easily fall asleep is that you feel protected, loved while sitting next to your partner.
It looks silly, but it is actually a great sign that you are content with your relationship.
#29 I Love You More Than My Limbs
You know you are in love when you don't care about your arm. You just want your partner to have the best sleep ever.
So, you are stuck with a dying arm, you no longer feel your fingers, but you still refuse to move it. It might wake up your special someone.
Cuddling to the point where you feel like you're losing your limbs is a sure sign of real love.
#30 It's A Baby!
While relationships are full of small yet magnificent moments, some are simply unforgettable.
Discovering that you are pregnant is one of the biggest milestones in your life. Telling to your love is a moment you will share and cherish forever.
And of course, telling family is another joyful moment.
Babies rock!
#31 Let's Go Outside
If you want to stay responsible, but you need to feel like you just started dating, take your SO outside, back to nature.
The pandemic had us locked up in our homes for far too long. It's time to shake things up with a picnic on some remote location or a game of tennis somewhere away from the rest of the world.
#32 Taking Care Of Mom-to-be
A surprise home spa for a pregnant woman is pure heaven.
It is not a difficult task. In fact, all it takes is a little creativity, and you will have another night to remember.
Shaving legs during pregnancy is hard enough. Painting toenails is mission impossible. Imagine having a caring partner who will do all that and more.
If you found them, you stroke gold!
#33 Take My Greys Away
Women do not age to be silver foxes. Sadly, when we see grey hair, it means the end of the world is near. That is why it's vital to have a man who will make it go away.
Sure, any guy will think that you are going insane. But, it is important for us, hence our loved ones need to learn to see the world with our eyes occasionally.
#34 So Much Feelings, So Little Time
Having a newborn is a blessing. But you are always tired. Yes, a woman is no longer on her own clock. Instead, she lives to keeps the baby happy and content.
That is when a partner steps in to do the chores, fold laundry, wash the dishes. While none of you is 100 percent rested, you are both 200 percent happy.
#35 Love Means Sharing Tissues As You're Sobbing
Watching a good movie often leads to tears. If you have a man who is not ashamed to show his true emotions in front of you, you found a keeper.
Cuddling during a sad movie will only bring you closer.
#36 Pasta With Extra Hair On Top
Cooking for your man is a foolproof way to show your feelings. It may sound old-fashioned, but it is a classic for a reason.
In case you are not a professional chef, you might add an unwanted ingredient - your hair. A loving partner will either hide it or be playful about it.
They will never make you feel any less than fantastic!
#37 Sometimes, All A Gal Needs Is A Fresh Towel
You are all clean, energized, and ready to take over the world. But, you forgot your towel.
Luckily, your loving special someone will save the day.
Something as small, even silly, as bringing a towel is what dreams are made of because love is knowing when to step in and lend a helping hand. Or a fresh towel.
#38 The "Make A Wish" Thing
Many women will stop even the most romantic moment to pick up an eyelash and make a guy make a wish.
That level of comfort only works when a guy is head over heels in love and adores your little quirky habits.
#39 A Woman Of Mystery
Sheet masks, bubble masks, the ones in bright colors, self-care never looked so interesting.
When you are relaxed, you won't hide in a bathroom just to put on your favorite mask as you enjoying reading some gossip magazine. And even more, your partner won't leave a house without a small kiss.
Nope, for your SO, that mask is just another thing that makes you happy, and they are happy for you.
#40 Bedtime Story
Your bedtime routine is intimate, private. It is not something you discuss; rather, it is a time reserved just for the two of you.
Perhaps you prefer sudoku or listening to 90s pop songs. Does it matter? You are both satisfied and grateful to share this time together.
#41 Boundaries?
After a while, boundaries are a thing of the past. It is not that you don't care. Instead, you got so cozy with each other that you don't pay attention to what once felt embarrassing.
The great thing about getting so close to someone is that you are more yourself than ever. And that is when you can be your most authentic self with your loved one.
#42 Werewolf Woman
Women have hair. Surprise, surprise!
That sexy, smooth thing we got going on cannot last forever. We should not feel the pressure to shave when we don't feel like it.
Find a guy who accepts you for what you are. A hairy, masked monster with a heart of gold!
Finally, Meet The Real Couple Behind The Scenes
Amanda And Joey are a couple who shares everything and love each other despite their quirks. Their life as a couple is an inspiration for Amanda's amazing illustrations, and it is refreshing to see how normal, relatable they are.
The two are married and expecting their first baby. We are looking forward to seeing how these two will handle the new, adorable phase of their life.
We are sure the illustrations will be amazing!
