Love is gentle if sometimes amused warmth for annoying and deeply disappointing people, especially ourselves.

Mattie was in love with Daniel, of course; this was the X within the circle on her map: I love Daniel.

Love can bring people out of isolation, get them to take off the Halloween masks they wear, breathing through the slits.

That's what's so touching about weddings: Two people fall in love, and decide to see if their love might stand up over time, if there might be enough grace and forgiveness and memory lapses to help the whole shebang hang together.