What is Love?
I had always thought I knew what love was. As a young man, I believed love was passion - the fluttering feelings in your stomach, the desire to be with someone at every moment. But as I grew older, I started to realize that love is much deeper and more complex than fleeting emotions. It took meeting the love of my life to truly understand what is most important about love.
Her name was Sarah. We met in college and instantly connected. She was beautiful, funny and so easy to talk to. We spent all our free time together, just enjoying each other's company. I thought I was in love. The feelings I had for her seemed overwhelming. All I wanted was to be close to her always.
After we graduated, Sarah got a job offer in another city. I didn't want her to go but also didn't want to hold her back from opportunities. We tried long distance for a while but it was difficult. The passion and desire started to fade as real-life responsibilities took over. Without the constant physical presence, it was harder to feel deeply connected. After a year, we sadly realized it just wasn't working anymore and decided to go our separate ways.
It broke my heart to lose Sarah. For a long time, I struggled to move on. I dated other people but nothing ever felt the same. Then one day at a friend's party, I met Emily. She was completely different from Sarah - more reserved whereas Sarah had been outgoing. But there was an ease to our conversations, a comfort in just being together.
Emily and I took things slowly, getting to know each other without expectations. We supported each other through good times and bad, sharing life's ups and downs side by side. Over the years, our bond only grew deeper as we faced challenges together - illnesses, job losses, and family struggles. Through it all, our love and commitment to one another remained strong.
One day, it suddenly hit me - this was real love. The love I felt for Emily was not based on fleeting emotions or physical attraction but on true care, trust, and commitment. We had been through so much together and our relationship had only strengthened. She was my best friend and biggest supporter. I knew I could always count on her, in good times and bad.
That's when I realized what is truly important about love - it's the ability to be there for someone unconditionally, through all of life's ups and downs. Real love is a choice you make each day to be supportive, loyal, and committed to building a life with someone. It's finding your person - the one who knows you deeply and loves you for who you are.
Passion is wonderful but it fades. What lasts is choosing to love each other through challenges, and still finding ways to support each other even when you disagree. It's seeing your partner not just as a lover but as your life partner, your teammate, and your best friend. That is the love I feel for Emily - a love I know will last forever because it is rooted not in fleeting emotion but in true care, commitment, and partnership. She is my person and I am grateful for her every day.
So in the end, what I've learned is that while passion is exciting, what really matters in love is the ability to be fully committed to someone through all of life - the good, the bad, and everything in between. Real love is a choice you make each day to be loyal, supportive, and committed to your partner. And when you find that person who chooses you back, that is true love that will last forever