What is love? It exists out there for a lot of younger people into finding that special companion. That warm feeling or wanting to share you time closely is usually associated with romantic thoughts. Often we get ideas from some of the major classic films of a guy sweeping his lady off her feet. I have lost much of that need to find romance probably because of disillusionment partly because there is more to life than searching for a drop in a bucket.
Since romance is not high on my list does not mean I am not striving for intimacy, on the contrary I am just not one to fall head over heels. On the other hand should an intimate moment arise I wouldn't think twice unless of course the moment was not right. One can love without being romantic.
But there is nothing wrong falling head over heels either. Many a couple got together and their relationship cemented because there was love at first sight. So finding love can also be a risk.
Maybe I ought to say what I would not look for if I were to be actively interested in finding love. I would value friendship above all. Liking the person before feeling something more intense would be a kind of confirmation that the relationship is substantial, that the person is genuine. If love were to occur afterwards, I would think that it was not a flash in a pan.
Many people think that love is romance and that the two go hand in hand; a sad case for would be lovers who strive for a "romantic" feeling when they are looking for a mate. Today romance also exists for other couples too and is not limited to how one perceives him or herself sexually or how one is oriented.
Does love have to be a noble ideal? That can be debated because there are couples that state that they have remained together more out of habit than love. Each one would rather have the company of the other than be alone and one does not need the ingredient of love or romance to have company. Of course it would be better to be alone than in bad company.
Loves is in the eye of who sees, we all see differently and have different views of who we would want to share our lives with and who to distance ourselves from. Perhaps love is obvious for some, elusive and unattainable for others and means torment for yet others. It is still love in the end that unites. So one should not forget loving your family and sharing your love with those around you instead of just thinking about how to meet your mate.
In the end if you can't love yourself for who you are others will have less reason to love you too.
