The many layers of love…

There’s a big difference between like and love. To steal a line from 10 Things I Hate About You, “I like my Skechers but I love my Prada backpack.” Ok, so that’s a materialistic example, but it means something. So often we get caught somewhere in the love/like conflict, but if it’s really love, you’ll no doubt feel the difference.

Over time I’ve realized there are many layers of love. There’s the love you have for your family – love that is strong as steel and means that no matter what, you would do anything for that other person. There’s the love you have for your friends – love that may require you to bend and sway over time, but no matter what happens, through thick and thin, you’ll stand by them. And then there’s the love you feel for that someone special in your life – the kind of love that grows stronger and stronger over time and makes you feel complete inside.

It’s quite possible you can feel all these types of love at the same time and it’s a wonderful thing. Even more wonderful is when those you love feel the same way about you. And if they don’t, that’s ok too. Don’t let the other person’s level of “love” stop you from loving each and every day. Tell people you love them with no expectation of hearing the words in return. There’s something to that old saying, “Love like you’ve never been hurt.” If you can let yourself go there, it’s truly and amazing feeling, and quite honestly, it can be contagious!