What is the definition of love to you? Is it a feeling, concept or action? For me, love has a very broad definition, and I see it in every aspect of my life. From the bubbly professors who seem to be excited for class everyday to the gracious gesture of a fellow student holding a door open for me, my heart is warm with love in many moments and for many people. Love is everywhere, and it is the most important aspect of my life. I know what you are thinking: “This girl is nuts!” There is no way love is that prominent in day-to-day life, right? Well, I am going to try to convince you all otherwise with this blog of mine. I am going to give an extensive definition of the word “love” and what it means to me as well as offer advice on how to be more aware of love and how to express it more frequently. Love is more than just the romantic, Romeo and Juliet kind with roses, hearts, handholding, boyfriends, and girlfriends. It is being with someone or a group of people that make you feel warm, happy, and welcomed. It is coming home to your favorite home cooked meal, dancing like a maniac in your room with friends, or even simply acknowledging somebody with a luminous smile. I get it, love is complicated. It is not a light subject that should be tossed around like meaningless nonsense. Its message is powerful, large, and real, so we must learn how to handle it and how to properly use the phrase, “I love you”.

The concept of love did not always play a huge role in my life, however. In fact, I struggled with the idea for a very long period, especially during the first few years of my high school career. Being the youngest of three brothers and having a mother with nine brothers, I have many aunts, uncles, and relatives to share moments with in my life. I would get graduation, birthday, and Christmas cards from all of these people who supposedly “love” me, but for some reason I never used to feel that warm sensation I thought people are supposed to feel. I was numb to the phrase “I love you”. I felt like these words were being thrown around so often and so bluntly that they had no meaning. My parents, brothers, and I are never very sappy or affectionate towards each other, but we would say we loved each other on special occasions, which seemed to be enough for me. I believed that they did because they are my family, and that is their job. I began to question this whole idea of finding love, experiencing love, and feeling love. As I grew, especially recently in my young adult years, I began to see more clearly as to what love really is. What I learned was that people do not tell you they love you if they do not mean it, and sometimes, the word “love” is not even mentioned. Love is not a noun; it is a verb. It is not some concept or magical thing that grows in people, but it is the way humans interact with and treat one another. You show your love for your school when you wear its colors and name. You share your love for someone when you ask how their day was. You experience love every day, yet you might not realize it. So, let us live more, and the love will come naturally. I am not saying everyone must love everyone. That would just be impossible. My goal for this blog is to open the minds of people in modern day society to show more affection towards each other and realize that there is always someone who loves you. With just a little more love, we can make the world a more peaceful, happy, healthy place.

-C. Hart