______ ![I Love You Valentine's Day Card_20240907_091601_0000.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXxajsx6d4adtUYby7cxJggHekafPifBuqbb5P1LzUf5q/I%20Love%20You%20Valentine's%20Day%20Card_20240907_091601_0000.png) ^{Designed with Canva} ______

Introduction

| |- The word love has been in existence from time immemorial. Love means different things to different people based on their understanding of this magic word. It's a privilege to participate in this contest as organised by @memamun, so I'd love to share my views based on my understanding. ____

The definition of love is different for everyone, but what is the definition of love for you??

| |- _____ Like I've mentioned, love means different things to different people. That's why, if you ask me, I'll tell you that love does not really have a concise meaning. However, to me, love means kindness, it means patience, it means caring and it also means showing affection. That's to say that if you are in love or love a person, you'll be kind to that person, you'll be patient and care for that person, and you'll always want to express affection for that person. _____ ![heart-8545742_641.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbHPpxr61q2PY5NtF1kg8rCA8D8VwnjaQfHJpWfPGniUE/heart-8545742_641.jpg) [Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/heart-love-i-love-you-8545742/)

You have to feel love, do you think the one you feel comfortable with is love? Or the one you present yourself in front of is love??

| |- _______ Feelings could be deceitful, and we can be blindfolded by what we see. So, love can be felt and it can also be seen. Although, this doesn't always express love at all times. A story about a certain young man. He professed love to two ladies at the same time. To them, it was all beautiful, he showed them that he truly loved them, he showered them with gifts and affection, but in a real sense, he had true affection for one person. He made his confession when these two ladies met each other. Coincidentally, they were cousins. One of them invited the other to her birthday party and that's how they discovered themselves. In this context, it is only the heart that can dictate which is love or deceit, not feelings or physical expression. ______

Family or friends, love is different for everyone, do you think you should ever sacrifice something for love?

| |- _______ Be it family or friends, love is sacrificial. To show how much you love your family members or friends, sacrifice is one of those things that truly portray how much you love and can go extra miles to prove the love you have for them. A lady had a friend who turned out to be a family member to her. This her friend had an accident and was in a critical state. She had to stay by his side, because all his close family members were abroad. She could have chosen to prioritise her job and rest, but for the sake of friendship and love, she had to seek casual leave at her office to be able to take care of her friend. That was a sacrifice made for love. It wasn't just about the friendship, she could've chosen to be a casual friend, but she went ahead to make such a sacrifice. _____ ![embrace-4788167_1280.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWHiStpqXPp64ywsPBD28BNaUSPG6wEV6SSxEiRLeE2ZS/embrace-4788167_1280.jpg)[Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/embrace-hug-old-people-solidarity-4788167/) _______

Who you love, do they also love you?? Those whom you consider an integral part of your life, do they also think the same?

| |- ______ Love should be reciprocal. If I love a person truly, I should be able to receive the same. It is annoying and sickly for you to give love and the other person does not return the same. Be it family members or friends, you should be able to reciprocate love back to the people who love you genuinely but, one thing. Love should not be forced or pressured, it must be allowed naturally for it to be a perfect one. I love my family so much,*my husband and children* they matter so much to me and then my extended family. By extension, I love my friends too though I have very few friends. I know the people I love do try their best to love me too. ____ Love is a beautiful thing either within family members or amongst friends. Reciprocate love if you receive one, you'll be happy you did. _____ In invite @bela90 @beevicsam @alexanderpeace _____