The 32-year-old actress – who is currently dating ‘Frost/Nixon’ star Michael Sheen – feels “blessed” that her mother and father have such a stable relationship, and thinks their union is the reason why she is such a romantic person.

She said: “They are still together and still in love. I’m very blessed that way. I had a great example of love in front of me, and that’s probably what makes me such a romantic, because I’ve seen it firsthand.”

However, because of the standard set by her parents, Rachel – who was engaged to her ‘Notebook’ co-star Ryan Gosling before calling off their three-year relationship in 2007 - admits she was left feeling disappointed when she discovered that not everyone has the same view of relationships.

She added in an interview with America’s Elle magazine: “You grow up and you assume that everyone is like that, and you quickly realise that they’re not, and then you have those days when you wonder if you’re going to find it for yourself. It’s such a hard thing to find. I think it was more that realisation that rocked me.”