1.
Barney loves his Mom because she's sassy and streetwise, because she's independent and strong. Because she never takes crap from anybody.
He doesn't love that she can never put him first, that she's always working. He doesn't love how she's always so cynical and that she never really lets him be a kid.
He doesn't love the men she sometimes brings home: Brutish men who don't deserve her and who always get into fights with his older brother.
Men who always leave.
2.
Barney loves Shannon because she's pretty and kind-hearted and she's so sure about the future. She's got it all figured out. She believes in things. She's mapped out every step for him so that all he has to do is follow her - travel the world, help the less fortunate, find a place to marry. To settle down, to raise kids and give them a real childhood: A house, a picket fence, a puppy. He loves the way Shannon makes this all seem so normal and so possible.
He doesn't love the way she's so tentative about sex, that she knocks his confidence because she always stops him mid flow.
He really doesn't love the way she dumps him without a second thought.
3.
Barney loves the way Ted's so willing to do anything and everything, even despite his better judgement. He loves the way that Ted will follow him even into his most ridiculous of schemes. He loves the way that Ted makes him feel like he's older and wiser than he is.
He doesn't love the way that Ted thinks he's got it all figured out - that he's starting to think like Shannon - the house, the picket fence, the kids and puppies. He knows that's all a lie - a picture pasted over a huge, rotting, gaping hole.
He doesn't love the way that he has to let Ted find that out for himself. He hates to see his friends get hurt.
4.
Barney loves that Robin's so sassy and independent. He loves that Robin doesn't follow convention, doesn't listen to the lie about the house, the picket fence and the kids. He loves that she's beautiful and ridiculous and amazing and Canadian and strong, strong, strong.
He loves everything about her, all her flaws and weaknesses, all her brilliance and strength.
He doesn't expect her to love him back.
But he wishes, he wishes, he wishes…
.