Understanding Love

Since time began and humans have fallen in love people have been trying to understand the meaning of love. The passion behind it and how is defined, how it happens has totally eluded most of mankind. It’s such a simple thing but so complex that no one knows how to find the words to explain how it happens or why it can go away. I’m not going to try to give it any definition because obviously I’m not some higher power that knows all or sees all. But I do have some understanding of the different kinds of love there is and how it can be defined for different types of relationships. There are a few kinds of love. The love you have for a friend that is unromantic, the love of family which is also unromantic but stronger than a friendship, and romantic love between to people which is the most complex.

Friendship- You can be around someone and completely adore being around them, have a ton of fun with them, enjoy talking and their company. This is a surface love that warms your heart and doesn’t penetrate all the layers of your being. It’s the quickest love you can have. They can make you smile right away and change your mood in an instant. When a friend hurts you, however, the wounds are only superficial and can heal faster than any of the types of damage. You miss them, you hurt because they did slice you a little but it’s a scratch on your heart and the pain seems to go away faster. It’s easier to forgive than the loss of any other love. It isn’t that you didn’t care, but friendship love is not doesn’t penetrate into the soul like family or romantic love. It’s one of the reasons why it’s easier to repair a friendship than it is to repair family or romantic relationships.

Family- This is a deep seeded love and most of the time a very trusting love. You know that no matter what you do, they are still going to be your family and that is not going to change. It is the most trusting love of all but only because there is no way to change your family. Your friends and other relationship will come and go but your family stays the same. No matter what you do, you’re still related. However, when damage is caused from a family member it’s the most deep seeded damage you can have; it affects you almost permanently and most likely leaves a scar that can only be healed with professional help. It takes some real work to repair and is the hardest damage to forgive. It affects all your relationships because it can be the biggest road block to dismantle.