How have you redefined your idea of love as you've grown older?

[xJeremyx]

[jorfan3]

I've learned that love matures as time goes on. When teenagers say they're in love, they aren't lying, or misguided. Their love just isn't as mature as an 80 year old couple's yet.

You can love someone varying degrees, and it still be counted as love. Love is goodwill towards another person. You can have love for a stranger by carrying groceries, or walking them across the street or listening. You love your spouse with fidelity. You love your friends with quality time.

There are all sorts of love, too. In Greek, there are 8 different types of love in the Greek language.

Just because someone is young, doesn't mean they can't love. And just because someone doesn't express eros love towards you (sexual love), doesn't mean you aren't worthy of being loved at all.

[xJeremyx]

Yeah.

[jennifer_bloom]

A girl on this site said she learned when she met her husband that a marriage is basically a best friend that you like to sleep with. Some people turn it into a passionate and extreme social bond and that can be hazardous and toxic because they are idolizing the romance and not seeing it for the practical and limitations it offers the person. A relationship is like a cake - it makes you smile - but is not going to magically change your life.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure it is a redefinition, as much as a growth in understanding. When we started dating at 15 and 16, it was a passionate love. We couldn’t keep our hands off each other. So much so that she got pregnant and we got married. We then had to learn about unconditional love, a love that is a choice to love the other no matter what. Over our 50 years there have been times when we were not “in love” but we chose to stay together. There is an ebb and flow to the romantic/passionate love whereas the unconditional love is constant because it doesn’t rely on feelings. The greatest thing is that, if you weather the storms, if you stick it out, you will experience a depth of love unlike any other.

[Qdbrown]

Yes. As a guy, don't fall in love with damaged women. Find the best girl out there, and if she not ready to be in a relationship, maybe pump and dump her, just don't start feeling sorry for her or see a diamond in the rough.

If you start with the best, you can focus on a great relationship. that can grow. Think about it as a solid foundation to build on.

[Guy13]

Love is a combination of lust, brotherly-like friendship, and a self-sacrificing love for another that keeps them in the forefront of your actions and thoughts.

[petitedollbabee]

As a teen my idea of love was having my partner be obsessed with me to an unhealthy degree, having them love bomb me, spending all of my time with only them and doing whatever they wanted me to do to keep the peace and avoid conflict. After many toxic relationships and finally meeting someone who shows me healthy love, I understand why my past relationships failed and why I suffered with my ex’s so much. I understand now that a healthy relationship isn’t about obsession or love bombing, it’s about boundaries, compromise and not avoiding conflict, but communicating in a healthy manner and working through said conflicts to meet in the middle. As well as a good balance between your time together and your personal interests/social life.

[Heolurt]

It's something I would describe as non existent, it's just a word, one that I don't use and everyone else seems to over use. If it did exist and is supposedly as strong as it's supposed to be, then it wouldn't be as easy to break but it doesn't exist and that's why it's so easy to crumple to nothing.

[LiamJHayden]

Yes. I used to think infatuation and excitement = love. Now I know commitment is required.

[NathanDavis]

better love...

[Iron_Man]

It’s always been the same high quality

[Minahh]

It's not supposed to hurt, it's supposed to heal

[Anonymous]

I don't know, I guess I will have to wait and see.

[Yansix75000]

I dont understand