Love
Well..I am convinced that you are in love when you decide you are.
It isnt a feeling.
It is a decision.
Unfortunately, way to many people are looking for that romantic notion
of it so they subconciously decide to love (i.e. fall in love).
You count the cost.
My definition of love is that the other person becomes more important to me...than me.
...her opinions count for more.
...her time is more valuable than mine.
So you look at the person and say:
"If this one never changes, or even if she does,
will I still be able to sacrifice what is most important to me
because of my love for her?"
If you can really do that...then Id call it love.
The cool part is, Even though it sounds like an incredible sacrifice, it isn't.
Not if the other person feels the same way.
Because you are both giving constantly of yourself to make the other happy.
Not because the other person expect or demands it of you,
but just because you enjoy making them happy so you do things.
I am an obstinate man.
No one has ever been able to change me, but I am neverthe less greatly changed by Stephanie.
Not because she said i should or asked or expected it,
but because i so love to make her happy, that i find myself
changing and doing things different in my life just to see her happier.
She does the same, and as a result we both grow.
-- Ed1999