Love can be described in many different ways and it's hard to know where to start. I've decided to write about the love I have for close friends and my husband. There are things about those relationships that are different to other relationships that I think mark the difference between love and something less than love.
You know you love someone when...
...they do things or have habits that if someone else did them would really annoy you or make you angry but when someone you love does them any annoyance is small and brief, you might even find it funny and you know that it's part of what makes them them and may be one of the reasons you love them.
...they are the first person you want to tell when something good happens, when you accomplish something, when you see something funny. They are also the person you want to tell when something bad happens. When you're having one of those days they are the only person you want to be around.
...being around them is not an effort. You are comfortable just being in each others company without having to be doing anything or even talking.
...you sacrifice your time, money, energy for them without really thinking about it, you just do it because you know that's what they need and you naturally do whatever you can to help them without having to intentionally decide to be helpful.
...you fall naturally into conversation even when you haven't seen or talked to each other for a while.
...your conversations are different with them than with anyone else. You are comfortable talking about anything, including your deepest and darkest feelings and thoughts, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your shared memories and in-jokes. This is the person with whom you talk about things you don't share with anyone else. This is the person you only need to tell half the story to and they know you well enough to understand the rest.
...you miss them when they're not around, when you haven't seen or talked to them for a while. Being with or talking to them makes your life feel more complete.
