We live in interesting times, to say the least. Our society has become so high-tech that most of us don’t remember what real interaction is anymore. I can even personally confess to having a lack of social skills caused by my excessive use of technology.

This may not apply to everyone, though. Many people have found a balance between technology and social interaction. But sadly, it seems to me that a higher percentage have not developed those skills, or don’t know how to act appropriately in situations when with friends, compared to in a formal environment.

People are great, and the more I put my phone away and interact with them, the more I really grasp that.

Something I’ve noticed is that people have completely reshaped that simple four letter word we all know. Love. Originally I wanted to complain about how this word has been redefined, but as I started writing, I realized that indeed the definition of love has changed.

Googles perfect dictionary defines love in two ways, noun, and verb. The noun being “an intense feeling of deep affection”, and the verb being “feel a deep romantic or sexual attachment to (someone)”. These definitions are in fact true, but only partially. More in the 21st century, we have seen this word adapt to the times.

Love now means “strongly like,” as the opposite of hate. Love means “important to me”, as when you say “I love you” to someone who is simply a friend. Love is no longer confined by the strict definition of “want to date or marry." Love is an amazing thing, and whether you love them like a friend, family member, or significant other, everyone deserves to feel it.