What is love?

I do not fully understand love, as my mind is unfortunately twisted, but I’m hoping that if I write this, I can help myself and you understand it better.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

This passage is 1 Corinthians from the Bible. God’s Book is the ultimate source for any question one might have, and its message on love provides us with everything we need to know about it.

Love is not demanding, cruel, lustful, or based merely on how your reproductive organs react to another person’s reproductive organs. It’s not found in sex, beauty, or large silicone breasts. It’s nothing you see in the least, nor is it an emotion, because emotions change. True love is patient, understanding, and rejoices in the other person.

You feel a sense of joy and genuine happiness for your partner’s successes. You want them to reach greater heights and succeed in everything they do, and you’re always right there encouraging them every step of the way.

You love someone not for how they make you feel, but for who they are. For everything about them, including the flaws and the quirks.

You learn to control your emotions for the sake of your partner and not let anger and tension make you insane so you lash out at them. If I had been kinder to my partner, I would still have him, but I did not choose love, I chose selfishly expressing my unruly emotions, leading to the crumbling of our relationship. Be mindful and courteous of your lover’s feelings. He/she is not a toy, pet, or something disposable you can dump all your frustrations on. They are just like you, living, feeling beings with minds, emotions, and struggles of their own. Use the Golden Rule; Treat others as you wish to be treated.

You willingly forgive transgressions and mistakes. Guess what? Nobody’s perfect, not even you or your kindly, cookie-baking grandma. Nobody. How would you feel if you made a mistake and your partner attacked you for it, always making little digs at you about it and reminding you of that long-ago past screw-up? Awful, right? If the person you claim to love really does mean everything to you, show it by forgiving. You don’t have to forget. All God asks is that you forgive, because He forgave you first.

Love isn’t the thing society and the entertainment industry has twisted it out to be. It is pure, gentle, and entirely precious. Love is the brilliant blossom the world has taken a machete and flamethrower to, completely defiling and distorting the image until we end up thinking like this: only hotties with big penises/DD boobs who are animals in bed are lovable. So wrong! Watch Beauty and the Beast to remind yourself that looks are far from everything. While chemical attraction is indeed important, do not confuse it with love! Love is not something you see, just like God. Rather, it is something felt, and if it is legit, it doesn’t immediately shatter the moment the relationship hits a pothole.

Love is protecting your partner from the world and even themselves when they’re not at a perfect 100%. Love is trusting your partner with everything about yourself, and making sure you don’t break their trust, as well. Love is being able to be completely vulnerable with someone with no fear, because you know they’ll never judge you.

It isn’t always spoken in those three little words. It isn’t always expressed in teddy bears or heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. You can’t find it in moonlit carriage rides or strolls on the beach. The only place you find love is in your heart, and it is a true gift from God.