What does it mean to you, to really love someone?
By Arianna
@Borlotti (268)
United States
December 16, 2020 3:55am CST
I'm not in a relationship at the moment, but I dream of one day finding 'Mr. Right'. I guess that's one reason why I'm starting out to write a Romance novel. Kind of to explore the feelings and circumstances and ideas I have around romantic love.
But, of course, romantic love isn't the only kind. There's the love you have for a child, your own or someone else's. The love for parents, brothers, sisters, and family. Or the love you have for a cherished pet, maybe. Some people even love their cars, houses, and other possessions!
So many kinds of love and so much need for love in the world! We know, I think, when we experience love, and when we give and receive love. But I find it hard to define. For example, romantic love may not be sexual, and sexual love is sometimes, sadly, not very romantic.
What does love mean to you? What's your best definition or experience of love? What does it bring to our lives? And is it true, as the song says, that "all you need is love"? or is love not really enough to change the world?
7 people like this
10 responses
@Borlotti (268)
• United States
16 Dec 20
H M.-L. Thank you for pointing that out. I guess you're right; love alone may not be enough if it isn't backed up with thoughtfulness and right actions. I did mention that song, just not the Beatles!
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
16 Dec 20
The only true love I have known is the love of a mother for her child.
1 person likes this
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
16 Dec 20
@Borlotti I dont think the same with a father's. They dont go through pregnancy and childbirth.
1 person likes this
@Borlotti (268)
• United States
16 Dec 20
@yoalldudes Hi Arya. That's so true! I don't think they're the same exactly, either, in that sense. But I do think that we can sometimes forget that a father can love his children just as much as the mother, even if in a different way, maybe. But I agree with you that there's a especial, deep bond with the mother in most cases just because of the biological facts.
@Borlotti (268)
• United States
16 Dec 20
Hi Arya! Thank you for sharing that thought. I've often thought that the love of a mother for her child -- or, of a parent, could also be the father -- is perhaps the most instinctive, natural and 'true' love of all.
@Mga_715 (90)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
17 Dec 20
I cant explain love in just one word as you can express it also through your actions. Love for my husband is when you accept not just his perfect traits but as well as his flaws. You are not marrying his good side but you are making a promise to stay by his side even when you see his bad side or even when you both are experiencing the worse situation. Love for my kids is when you stop doing what you do, and give them time and make memories with them. Love for my parents is when I always think about a good way to pay them back for all the good things they have done for me since the day I was born. They don't demand for anything but I make sure to provide them something that they can make use of or something that can make them happy. Love for my true friends is when I listen to them if they are venting their frustrations, making myself available when they need me the most and make sure to ask them how's it been even when we have our own busy times.
1 person likes this
@Borlotti (268)
• United States
17 Dec 20
Hi Akke! Thank you for that amazing response! You know, it sounds like your idea of love is all about giving, being there for others -- your husband, your kids, your parents, and so on -- which is wonderful in many ways as I think that often people think love is just a "feeling" more than a way that you treat other people, if you see what I mean. But also, don't you think that you must also love yourself? Not instead of loving other people but as well as loving them? I've heard it said that if you don't love yourself, how can you love others? I wonder what you think?
@Borlotti (268)
• United States
16 Dec 20
Hi Shubhu! Thank you so much for sharing those thoughts. I think that's really insightful. You know, that love isn't just for this person or that person, but it lives, if you want, in the relationship between any people -- or can do. Between 'lovers', between brothers and sisters, parents and their children, maybe even between strangers. That's the power of love, isn't it? Thank you so much!
@Borlotti (268)
• United States
16 Dec 20
Hi youfi! Wow, that's really deep. And beautiful. "Love is the name if you want to be happy without having to have". I really like that! Thank you so much.
@AliceInWonderland18 (64)
• Ploiesti, Romania
16 Dec 20
For me, love is everything. I think you can find it absolutely everywhere. Love is being happy, feeling safe, grateful, worthy. I know that I am just a teenager but I think I already know what true love means. It's not just about feeling "in love", that crazy and head in the cloud feel, it's also about being safe, confident, understood by the other.
Love brings the best and the worst moments, but how most of you already know, they are all lessons. In my opinion, it can be enough just if people think the same about it, unfortunately. :/
1 person likes this
@Borlotti (268)
• United States
17 Dec 20
Hi little Alice! Thank you so much for sharing that. I think you make a very important point. You know, that love is not just about that lovely feeling of "being in love", but it's also about a sense of confidence and security and being protected and cared for in a relationship. I guess, it's also about creating that kind of safe environment for the other person, too. So, maybe love can't exist just on its own but you have to have trust and kindness, patience, and forgiveness as well to make the right kind of space for love to live in, if that makes sense. I also appreciate your positive attitude and seeing everything that comes in a loving relationship, good and bad, as lessons and opportunities to learn.
@Borlotti (268)
• United States
16 Dec 20
Hi A R,
Thank you for sharing that thought. I think it's tough, too, and that's why I wanted to find out what other people think! I guess you "know it when you see it" (or feel it) as they say. But sometimes we think we're in love, or that we've found love, and it turns out not to be "true love". Is there such a thing as "true love", do you think?
@Borlotti (268)
• United States
16 Dec 20
Hi Merliva,
You mean like the romantic hero that "sweeps you off your feet" kind of love? Love at first sight across a crowded room and stuff. I don't know. I hope for some people it might be true. I'd like to believe it! Why don't you think it's possible, that kind of wild, romantic love?
@hidvcmbr (249)
• Malta
25 Dec 20
Love is when you want something best happens to the person as much as you want it happens in your life, and you dont want something bad happens in your loved one's life as much as you dont want it happens in yours.
I'm not in a relationship, but i really love my family, and im in love with my crush?? he is one of the best guys i've ever known in my life. He brings sooo much happiness.
