I put my music on shuffle the other day while driving. That's always a risky move because my music library is completely without rhyme or reason, so I have no idea what song I'm in for. I have Miranda Cosgrove, Destiny's Child, half of the "Rent" soundtrack, Blink 182, Bruce Springsteen, Akon, and Billy Joel all on the same playlist entitled "I don't know what occasion could possibly warrant you playing all of these songs together." I know what you're wondering. Yes, Miranda Cosgrove was indeed a music artist at one point. If you were horribly unaware of this fact stop reading this blog article immediately and listen to "Kissin' U." You're welcome. I firmly believe that the line "I might die, when I forgot how to breathe" is hands down the greatest lyric ever written.

Anyway, my point to this little anecdote is that, essentially, if I hit shuffle on my phone it's pretty much a game of Russian Roulette. Which is why I was pleasantly surprised when Haddaway's "What is Love?" started blasting out of my car's speakers. And normally I would just appreciate what an impeccably written song it is from start to finish and do my car dance that I have perfected over the years (which entails lots of shimmying but no accompanied hand motions because safety first) but, this time, I was hit by an existential question. What is love?

Recently, I've been listening to NPR's "Modern Love" podcast, which are readings of beautifully written essays from a column in the New York Times about the trials and joys of love in today's day and age. And it made me realize that there are infinite definitions of the word love. I've always known that there isn't just one strict, regimented way to love someone and be loved but the stories opened my eyes to the endless ways and people in your life you can care for with no limits on age, gender, race, health, or distance. My very favorite was a story about a woman living in New York City and the close friendship that she had with the doorman of her building. The unexpectedness of the friendship combined with the strength of their affection for each other would make even the Grinch break into the biggest smile known to all the Who's in Whoville. There are an abundance of stories, from couples falling in love when they were in their 80s, to mothers reconciling with their daughters after years of being estranged, to couples figuring out a way to make it through hard times.

I know I'm not exactly reaching new ground here. Love has been a mystery to mankind since the dark ages. Why, how, who and when we love is often inexplicable. There's no formula for it and family aside, it usually comes out of nowhere, and certainly when we least expect it. All I can tell you is that if you have people in your life who make your heart swell with fondness every time you see them and who stick by your side even though they've seen your alarmingly extensive *NSYNC memorabilia collection, then those people are keepers.

Now get out there and go spread some love.