Liking your characters

I don't actually like all my characters.  But I love them.  I understand them, I care about them, I'm happy when they live up to their potential and I'm disappointed when they screw up.  At least, part of me is disappointed; the part driven by the Muse knows that they have to screw up in order for there to be a story.

Or, no, let me rephrase that.  People (and thus characters) aren't perfect; they do screw up; and therein lies the story.  I don't create character flaws; I find them.  Or watch ...