** What is Love? **

Love knows no reasons. Love knows no lies.
Love defies all reasons. Love has no eyes.
Love is not blind; it sees but it doesn't mind.
Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.
Love is so easy to feel, so hard to explain;
Easy to get, so hard to let go;
Easy to spell, so hard to define.


So what is Love? Sure, there are tonnes of definitions, and several types of Love such as : platonic, agapic, filial, romantic, erotic, etc... but I guess it would depend on the individual(s) involved, and the type of relationship they have.
I recall reading what some kids said when they were asked to define Love. They were not far off, I have to admit... and the answers they gave show what I think most adults would take for granted. A couple of the replies given included:

- Love is when my mom tastes the coffee before giving it to dad to make sure it's sweet enough.
- Love is when dad comes home all sweaty and dirty after work, and mom still tells him he's handsomer than Robert Redford.
- Love is when my sister gives me all her clothes and has to go to the mall to buy new ones.

The answers were of a great variety, but they each had one thing in common - they reflected things that most people [adults] never give a second thought to.

I am exercising great restraint here to not reach for any of my numerous books on Love Quotations because despite the fact that it is a universal language amongst the human race, you can never really understand what it means until you yourself have experienced it.

So what about Romantic Love? How do you know when you're in Love?

Is it when you think about him all the time without realising it? Is it when you look at everyday things and are reminded of him? Is it when he texts you while you're in class in front the students, and they giggle because they notice you blush? Is it when he calls you at night, and even though you're both tired, neither of you wants to go to bed because at that moment, the most comforting thing is each other's voice? Is it when you doodle his name during staff meetings and you can't remember anything about the meeting that just went on for almost 3 hours? Is it when you save his emails and letters, and put them in a special book that you made, with your names on the cover? Is it when you name your rose plants after him, and use every variation of his name for each new plant? Is it when you dream about him all the time, and can hardly wait for the next time you're in each other's presence? Is it when you clear out the Hallmark store because you got him a card for each day for the next 3 years? Is it waking throughout the night talking to him and never caring that you never slept a wink and that you're going to be dead tired at work? Is it when you can look past his imperfections, and see him perfectly, and still love him more everyday? Is it when a careless word or act hurts you, but you forgive him anyway without thinking about it? Is it when he brings out the best in you, and you start writing happy poems instead of the usual sad poems? Is it when you put a card from him under your pillow, so he never leaves your Dreams? Is it when you look at him, and you're ready to give up your world and everything familiar to you just so you can be together? Is it when there is this bond between you, that allows you to sense his presence and state of mind, even though you're miles apart physically? Is it the longing to make his world safe and happy, even though you know that in itself is impossible? Is it when he's your very first thought in the morning, and your very last thought at night? Is it treasuring a Phantom cd over expensive jewellery because the cd shows how much he listened to your every words no matter how insignificant you thought they were? Is it when you look into his eyes and realise just how much you need him... because of how you feel about him? ...

Trust me, that list could go on and on ad infinitum! I have realised though, that this is the first time I have tried to rationalise in my head what this emotion means. It did strike me as odd that I never attempted it before, but, having said that, I know the reason:

One should never try to define Love. Once it is defined, it becomes confined. Once confined... it dies.


For now, I remain content to know the power it brings, and more than that, I am eternally thankful for the chance to believe in such a divine emotion.

~ Rads