By: Michelle Carr
What is meaning of love? Is it a feeling you can express with chocolates, musical cards, giant stuffed animals or maybe even diamonds? I mean, if you believe the saying that diamonds are a girl's best friend, then you might be right. Is it what some of Hollywood would lead us to believe, falling for one another while lying in a field of flowers? Chasing each other around like half crazed people until one of you gives? Falling helplessly over this person and that person while a part of themselves remains still looking for the right one. It is something scary that should be avoided? Is it better to protect our hearts from the pain of losing someone than to let someone in?
Je t’aime… Je t’adore…Te amo…Tave myliu… I love you… There are innumerable ways to say it but the words all have the same meaning. And just as you can say the words in many different ways, love itself comes in many different forms. And even though the forms of love vary, they are all still rooted in the same place. That place being deep within our hearts. We do everything we can to nurture that feeling and protect the people we love. Some consider this a weakness. I consider the ability to love and be loved a strength. But what is love?
Well, there is the love that you feel towards you parents. The grateful, thanks for putting up with me and loving me no matter how many catastrophes I throw you into, love. They are the first people you love. They are the ones that teach you what love is and what it is to be loved in return. That love is beautiful and lasts forever. You may forget some things from childhood but you will always remember, cherish and long for your parents love.
There is the unconditional love that a parent feels towards their children. The love that wants to protect them from all harm and yet wants them to experience everything so they will be well rounded. The love that bursts with pride when they do any sort of accomplishment great or small. The love that rejoices when they say “I love you” without you having to say it first. That love never ends, no matter how big they get. They will always be in your heart.
Another type of love is the love that you feel towards your friends. That love is special because these are the people that you have chosen to love. These people are your chosen family. People that you have carefully selected to share your heart with. Friendships are always as blessing, for they love you as you are and chose to keep you around too. Which is unlike family, who you sometimes just have to love, right
Then there is falling head over heads, you complete me, soul mate type love. And I, as a hopeless romantic, find this love amazing. Love to me, is the overpowering feeling you get when you think of that someone. Love is intense, terrifying and wonderful all at once. It is the butterflies that never fail to appear when you know you will see them soon. It is the terrible ache in your heart when they are not around. The ache that is only silenced when they are near. Love is the multitude of voices in your head and heart that are forever screaming their name. Love is the bolt of lightning that shoots through you when their eyes meet yours. Love is a thousand unquenchable kisses. It is the fire the burns through you when their skin touches yours. Love is knowing when to speak and when words are not needed. Love is embracing someone for who they are and loving every part of them. It is joining them in their darkest days and guiding them back into the light. Love is forgiving and beautiful. True love is two hearts beating as one.
As the day of love nears, I hope that you all have someone you love, that you can celebrate with. Whether it be a friend, lover or family, keep them near. Let them know how much you love and cherish them. Life is too short not to express such things. Love deeply my friends <3
