What I've Learned and Believe About Love

“You don't love someone because they're perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they're not.”
~ Jodi Picoult, My Sister's Keeper ~

First and foremost, love never dies. Not if it's the real deal, anyway.  I'm not talking just about romantic love - I'm talking about ANY love - love for a parent or child, sibling or cousin, aunts, uncles, grandparents or friends.  And yes, even love for a spouse.

I believe that it's entirely possible to love someone you don't respect or even like.  I know this is absolutely true for me and if it's true for me, then it can be (and probably is) true for everyone.

I believe the happiest people are those who allow the love they have for others to remain on the surface and to shine through.

I believe that we all love someone who doesn't love us back and, by the same token, we all are loved by someone we don't love.

I believe that sometimes we can be so hurt that we harden our hearts in order not to be hurt again but that hard heart only locks the love deep inside.  It doesn't kill it.  Once we heal from the hurt (and forgive - oh, wait - I already did that blog) then the heart can soften and we can once again feel the love that's buried inside.  Bitterness and anger can disguise the love we feel but, again, they can't kill it.

I believe that loving someone does not mean that you approve of everything about them or everything they say or do.  Love is unconditional.  If you're placing conditions on your love then I say to you, you aren't giving love.

Lastly, I believe that love is the greatest gift God has given us.  Not only does He love us, but He also gave us the ability to love each other.  It doesn't get any better than that.

Oh - one more thing - if I have ever said "I love you" to you, please know that I do and always will because love never dies.