Valentine's Day is right around the corner, which means different things for different people. For some of us, it is a night with the one we love. For others, it’s about loving yourself and treating yourself to an endless amount of chocolate. Regardless of how you celebrate the holiday, we know that it’s all about love.
This got me thinking, what is love?
Dictionary.com defines love as a “profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.”
But is that really what it means to you?
To me, love is when my boyfriend goes to the grocery store and comes home with a box of gluten free pancake mix to make me for breakfast in the morning because he knows that pancakes are my favorite food. It’s when he curls up in a blanket with me to watch "The Bachelor" on Monday nights even though he can’t stand to watch Ben make out with seven different girls during the hour. It is how he cares about my happiness and well being more than he cares about his own. That is what love is to me.
After asking 28 people to answer the question, “What is Love?” I found that love means something different to everyone.
“I love you!” – Harper, 3
“A happy feeling towards someone or something.” – Owen, 11
“Love is caring about someone so much that you would do anything to protect and care for them.” – Kaleigh, 14
“When my dog licks my nose when I get home.” – Macey, 18
“I love my family and friends. Sounds very ordinary, but without them, my life would be incomplete in so many ways.” – Ksenia, 20
“Putting the other person in a relationship before yourself without even consideration or thinking.” – Anthony, 20
“Love is not getting mad when someone takes the last of the ice cream, but love is also not taking the last of the ice cream so the person you love can enjoy it.” – Sam, 20
“Love is going to the grocery store and actually having fun with them. It's looking at a funny picture and knowing it would make them laugh. It's never feeling alone. It's fighting until 2 a.m., then staying up until 4 to work it out.” – Ali, 21
“Love is laughing at their joke even when you're trying so hard to stay mad at whatever stupid thing they did.” – Anna, 21
“Love is caring for someone or something so much that you would do anything for them. Love is acceptance of all things, all the little quirks, good or bad. You accept them all because every part of that person is what makes them whole.” – Conner, 21
“Constantly having butterflies and feeling giddy around someone you are completely comfortable with.” – Colleen, 21
“Love is when you can't breathe without someone or something… Love is what makes you push to be the best you can be so the person you love can have every thing they deserve. Love is a simple coffee date together before work or a night in wrapped up in a blanket. Love is imagining yourself walking down the isle towards that one person and wanting to spend your life with them no matter how hard it may get... Love is a completely devouring emotion, but in a good way. Love is respect and telling your deepest secrets without judgment. But there's one thing about love; it's different for everyone. You won't find a single answer that is the same because everyone experiences it in a different way. All I know is that love should make you happy. It should make you feel safe and well.” – Izzy, 22
“The inseparable bond between two beings.” – Alyson, 23
“The feeling of being so comfortable and content with someone that you're excited at the prospect of spending the rest of your life with them because having that person in you're life makes you happy.” – Erin, 27
“Love is a beautiful thing. It comes from the heart. It is what makes life worth living.” – April, 29 forever
“Unconditionally accepting someone for who they are and loving them, flaws and all.” – Beth, 31
“Caring and forgiving.” – Julie, 38
“Going to the bathroom with the door open.” – Kim, 40
“Love is a deep rooted feeling one has for something or someone, which can not easily be changed.” Robin - 41
“Unselfish devotion and sacrifice for the well being of another.” – Jim, 43
“Love is having a safe place to fall.” – Kim, 45
“Love is thinking of others before yourself. Love is giving completely, not taking. Love is unconditional. Love is forever.” – Angie, 45
“A imperfect perfection that with it leaves you breathless, but without it, you are breathless.” – Dawn, 46
“Caring more for someone else and their happiness than about yourself and your happiness.” – Jean, 47
“Love is marrying your best friend.” – Lynn, 50
“Love is be willing to give your life for theirs. Total contentment from within.” – Tammy, 56
“Placing the wants and needs of others above yours, without even thinking otherwise.” – Diane, 72
“Looking out for each other.” – Ron, 73
