Publications
Partners
Have you ever been in love before?
How do you even know if you’re in love or not?
What is love?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? What is love?
- Also read: ‘I love you’
Well, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as a “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties” or a “warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion”. Collins dictionary suggests that “You say that you love someone when their happiness is very important to you.”
So how would I explain love? Can I describe it as someone buying me ice-cream when I’m mad or playing with my hair to calm my nerves when I’m sad?
Is it that feeling I get when I see the waiter bring my food or the overwhelming feeling that takes over my body on a Friday night when I'm curled up on the couch with a large bowl of popcorn and my favourite movie? Well, in both scenarios that overwhelming happiness is contingent on whether or not I’m with someone special.
Even popcorn and Will Ferrell comedies become romantic and extra ordinary when you’re with the one you love.
Love lessons from kid 'experts'
The Jubilee project got a group of experts together to give us all a little lesson in love. After asking them “Have you ever been in love before?” and “What do you think true love is about?” this is what they said:
While some of these kid experts thought love was really gross – I mean, who doesn’t at 5 years old? – others had been in love before and tried to describe it as best they could.
“Loving someone is like, a lot of eye contact,” said one wise little guy.
Another said, “It feels almost like... you’ll never be lonely.”
On showing love he also explained, “You should treat them like, in a special way. Like if my mom, she wants to like read a book in bed, then my dad, he’ll go to bed. But if my mom wants to watch TV, my dad will watch TV. It’s like my dad sort of appreciates her so whatever my mom wants to do, he’ll do.”
“Little things show love a lot,” explained a little girl while another boy concluded, “It’s pretty simple.”
This kid expert nailed it perfectly:
“What do you think true love is about?”, the producers asked.
“True love is like a mixture of friendship, appreciation and happiness.”
“That’s it, huh?”
“Mmm hmm.”
I guess we all describe love differently, but maybe it really isn’t all that complicated.
Maybe love is just reading a book or watching TV with your spouse.
Read more:
- Read this mom's emotional post on the importance of love and kindness in the aftermath of the Vegas shooting
- Mom creates incredible list of don’ts for her daughter – and the internet loves it!
- Parents share their date-night selfies
What is love to you? How would you define love? Tell us by commenting below.
Sign up to our weekly newsletter to receive Parent24 stories directly to your inbox.
