Working with Julie Andrews is like getting hit over the head with

“Working with Julie Andrews is like getting hit over the head with a valentine.” These words, spoken by Christopher Plummer, capture something of the luminous and radiant nature of the actress, Julie Andrews, a woman whose presence is both gentle and overwhelming in its capacity to affect those around her. To be “hit over the head with a valentine” is a curious phrase. At first, one might imagine it to be a contradiction—how can something as tender as a valentine bring about the forceful impact of a blow? Yet, in this paradox lies a profound truth about the nature of genuine affection and the power of love when it is expressed authentically, without reservation, and with unrelenting generosity.

To the ancient philosophers, the idea of love—in all its various forms—was the force that moved the cosmos itself. The Stoics, for example, spoke of love not as a fleeting feeling, but as a virtue that required self-control, wisdom, and understanding. Socrates himself argued that the highest form of love is one that moves us toward the good, the beautiful, and the true. It is not a love that seeks to possess, but one that seeks to enlighten and uplift. And so it is with Julie Andrews. Her approach to her work, to the world, and to those around her, is one that exemplifies this pure, unselfish love—a love that can overwhelm, just as Plummer so vividly described, because it is uncontainable and abundant.

Christopher Plummer’s metaphor also brings to mind the great epic poets of old, those whose words had the power to both soothe and jar. Consider the Homeric heroes, who were often swept up by the forces of love and destiny. In these tales, love was not always soft or easy. It was a storm, a battle, a force that could overpower even the strongest of men and gods. Much like the tender weight of a valentine can leave one dazed with affection, so too can love be a force that reshapes lives, leaving its mark upon those who experience it. The relationship between Plummer and Andrews is not just one of colleagues; it is the dance of two souls, drawn together by a mutual understanding of the art of giving and the unspoken power that love holds, both on and off the screen.

Consider, for instance, the story of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the beloved French writer who penned The Little Prince. He too spoke of love in terms of deep impact. Love, to Saint-Exupéry, was a relationship between the individual and the world around him—a force that demanded both giving and receiving, with no expectation of return. In his famous quote, “Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction,” we see a reflection of the bond between Plummer and Andrews—a love not necessarily born of romantic attraction, but of mutual respect, admiration, and the shared pursuit of excellence. The love that one might feel from another person is not always gentle, but rather the energy that pushes us toward growth.

We all know of the artists of old, who, through their very presence, could change the tone of a room or elevate the spirit of those around them. A figure like Julie Andrews, who has graced the world with her angelic voice, her impeccable talent, and her warmth, embodies such a force. To work alongside someone of her caliber would undoubtedly leave an indelible impression—like the unexpected, overwhelming affection of a valentine. Her generosity, her ability to uplift those around her, and the aura of joy that surrounds her work are her gifts to the world, and it is not hard to imagine how such a presence would reverberate through the soul of any who had the privilege to share in it.

Yet, as in all things, this form of love and connection comes with a deeper lesson. The metaphorical "valentine" is a call to not only receive love but to give it freely, to recognize that affection is not something to be hoarded or rationed but to be expressed with the same force as it was felt. In an age where individualism often trumps community, and where the pursuit of personal glory can overshadow collective well-being, the true lesson of Plummer’s words is that love, in its purest form, is something that cannot be contained. It is an experience meant to be shared, felt, and, ultimately, passed along. In the same way that Julie Andrews radiates love through her performances, so too should we strive to spread light and warmth to those we encounter.

Let this lesson ring clearly through the ages: true affection, whether it comes in the form of a valentine, an artistic creation, or a shared moment of connection, is not a thing of fragility. It is powerful, transformative, and, like the swing of an ancient blade, it can cut through the heart of the matter, opening us up to the fullness of human experience. To receive such love, as Plummer suggests, is to be touched by the divine spark that drives us to connect. Julie Andrews, in all her grace, reminds us that to be moved by such affection is to be a part of something larger, something that transcends time and space.

As we walk our own paths, let us remember the example of those who, through their art, through their love, and through their presence, teach us the true meaning of giving and receiving. May we too be like valentines, offering our hearts freely, knowing that to love is to change the world. And as we do, let us honor the words of Christopher Plummer, understanding that in every great act of love, there is both gentleness and power. There is no force stronger, nor more enduring, than the love we share with those around us. Embrace it, and let it shape the world.