Couple Face

You two really have fūqī xiàng (夫妻相).

Wouldn't be the first time I've heard it mentioned even by strangers - since both Charming Calvin and I have received such raving accolades repeatedly. Blame it on having similarly square faces doubly enhanced with thick-rimmed spectacles.

Took me a while to understand exactly what it meant though. Basically the quaint Chinese phrase means a couple with faces that match, denoting some surprising similarities in shape, structure or size. Questionable compliment meant to suggest a fortuitous match fated to remain together forever.

Or at least a really long time.

What do ya mean we look alike!

Usually this oft-repeated saying elicits a pained grimace on Calvin's part. Remaining together isn't the problem for him - or at least I hope. Being compared to an unfavourable troll like me in looks does.

Though I do make fun of it, I do realize that some couples do strike sparks off each other. Just a certain sparkle when two people are together that suggests a relationship altogether unplatonic. A few couples give off so much searing heat it's almost palpable, even onscreen. Sometimes the passion is clear radiating from the pages of a book even.

While other combinations simply are a lesson in sheer incompatibility. Case in point - the terrible pairing of Mina Harker and Dracula in the recent 2013 television series. Talk about zero chemistry - which I'm sorry to say no amount of lurid sex dreams would help. Sadly for the ill-matched pair, Dracula shared more heat with her stone-faced fiancee Jonathan Harker during their impassioned arguments.

Certainly lent some much-needed fire to the usually impassive Jonathan Harker.