Fond

[Slava]

fond (fŏnd)
adj., fond·er, fond·est.

1. Having a strong liking, inclination, or affection: fond of ballet; fond of my nieces and nephews.
2. Affectionate; tender: a fond embrace.
3. Immoderately affectionate or indulgent; doting: fond grandparents who tended to spoil the child.
4. Cherished; dear: my fondest hopes.
5. Archaic. Naively credulous or foolish.

[Middle English fonned, foolish, probably from past participle of fonnen, to be foolish, probably from fonne, fool.]

(From the NYTimes reference site)

I guess it makes sense now that I think about it. We do tend to be a bit foolish over things or people we're fond of, don't we?

Still, the connection is interesting.

[Perry]

5. Archaic. Naively credulous or foolish.

Perhaps such people should be in the lost and fond department?