What is love? According to the dictionary, love is “an intense feeling of deep affection.” Really, it’s about connection- a profound bond between two beings. It’s something we learn at a young age and carry into adulthood.
That said, in celebration of Valentine’s Day, we want to give this powerful emotion a little more definition. Below are a few characteristics of what it means to love.
It’s Unconditional
Love has no stipulations. It doesn’t matter if someone is rich or poor or fat or skinny. It doesn’t matter if they are young or old or have different values or viewpoints. When you truly love someone, none of those things matters. People change, but your underlying feelings towards them do not. And this is as true for a significant other as it is for a child, family member, or friend.
It’s Action
Love is the little things people do and say. It’s the subtle words of appreciation, seemingly insignificant moments, and tiny sacrifices made for another. It’s small tokens of affection like checking in or regularly dishing out a few words of encouragement.
It’s Imperfect
To love someone is to let go of the need for perfection. It means to embrace somebody for everything they are, including their quirks and imperfections.
More so, to truly be in love is to understand that no relationship is perfect. People fight, make mistakes, and change. However, your feelings towards the person you care about should not waver.
It’s Patient
Love is never in a hurry. It means having patience and giving others grace. Really, it’s letting go of expectations and embracing someone for who they are, not who you would like them to be.
It’s Forgiving
We are all perfectly imperfect humans doing our best to navigate the world with the tools we’ve been given. We make mistakes. We say the wrong things and act in ways that are less than gracious. And to love someone is to understand this and forgive.
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