Nora Ephron understood what living and being in-love do to a person. One can feel vulnerable, scared, thrilled, doubtful and hopeful all at the same time. It is just all too much to be taken too seriously all the time. So Ephron’s romantic comedies were always done in a well-balanced combination -- not much tears, not much laughter. Always, there's enough of both.

Here are five of the best lessons ever shared in Nora Ephron's romantic comedies and dramedies.

1. Learned in When Harry Met Sally (Written by Nora Ephron, Directed by Rob Reiner, 1990)

You can deny your feelings, but they will never deny you. What you do about it will either bring you peace or at least an interesting joyful chapter in your life.

Harry Burns: What I'm saying is - and this is not a come-on in any way, shape or form - is that men and women can't be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.
Sally Albright: That's not true. I have a number of men friends and there is no sex involved.
Harry Burns: No you don't.

Imagine the horror of discovering you have feelings for someone so repulsive. In the end, you will just give in until the unruly feelings fade (if it does, at all).

2. Learned in Sleepless in Seattle (Story by Jeff Arch, Direction and screenplay help by Nora Ephron, 1994)

Destiny fails if you don't show up.

'Sleepless' shows how kids can sometimes make smarter decisions than adults. The kid wants his father to move on; the father would rather play it safe. The kid believes in destiny; the father believes he could only love once in his lifetime. The kid knows his father was not going to show up, so an intervention becomes necessary.

3. Learned in Julie & Julia (Story by Julie Powell [book], Screenplay and Direction by Nora Ephron, 2009)

Your passion is the key to the path of your fulfillment.

Paul Child: What is it you REALLY like to do?
Julia Child: Eat!

What if skepticism prevented the iconic Julia Child from believing she could do something big with her passion? Sometimes, the best things begin when we determine the thing that we really, really want to do. That, and being surrounded by the right people at the right time.

4. Learned in You've Got Mail (Screenplay help from Delia Ephron, Screenplay and Direction by Nora Ephron, 1998)

Keep your heart open; a mail can change everything.

Joe Fox: Hey, how about... oh, how about some coffee or, you know, drinks or dinner or a movie... for as long as we both shall live?

Some people find love in the strangest of places. The Internet is a strange place. Just like the real world, danger lurks in the nooks and crannies of the web, but when it is traveled lightly, sweet surprises can come along.

5. Learned in Hanging Up (Story by Delia Ephron [book], Screenplay help from Nora Ephron, Directed by Diane Keaton, 2000)

The clearly imminent death of someone you love can change your long-held beliefs.

"Hanging Up" may have not translated successfully from book pages to the big screen. But for those who have seen the slow and sinister approach of death towards someone who meant a lot to them, this film can be therapeutic.