What is Love? (Baby Don’t Hurt Me)

When I was in high-school, one of my classmates asked the question “What is love? I mean, how do you know when you’ve got it?” I remember fumbling my way through the ‘right’ answer (love is a decision more than a feeling, etc.), and predictably I got an exasperated sigh and a brush-off. The issue has resurfaced recently in a very close-to-home sort of way which I’m not prepared to get into. But let me just add some more perspective that age has offered.

The actual right answer is that love is a feeling. And a decision. In fact it’s a decision to maintain the feeling just as much as it is to maintain the commitment in its absence.

There is no way that you can separate feeling from love. It’s inherent. Love will break your heart. And when your heart breaks, well, that’s how you know you’ve got it.

But when your love is only causing you pain, it’s time to get out.