Love is a beautiful, mysterious, and complicated feeling that is unique to each person. People use the word to describe their feelings for people, things, and places. For example, an athlete might say they love their sport, while a reader might say they love books. Love can also be used to describe a strong affection for someone based on kinship or personal connections. For example, Romeo loved Juliet and most parents love their children. Love can also be a verb — to love someone or something means to show them kindness and care.
There is no one definition of love, but it can be described as a feeling of warmth and connection. It is a feeling that can be positive or negative, depending on the circumstances and situation. Love can be a powerful force that causes us to act in unexpected ways. For example, when we are in love with someone, we might find ourselves helping them through difficult times or even going out of our way to make their day better.
In general, loving someone means we feel a desire to spend time with them and be close to them. It can be sexual, but it can also be non-sexual, like wanting them around or just admiring their personality and physical traits. It is a desire that makes us want to do things for them or for themselves, like cooking them dinner or taking them out to do activities they enjoy.
Often, when we fall in love, we experience a rush of emotions that can include euphoria and a sense of heightened awareness. This is because falling in love triggers a release of a jumble of chemicals, including dopamine and adrenaline, that make our cheeks flush and our hearts race. Then, as the relationship progresses, this euphoria can be replaced with a sense of attachment and bonding. In this phase, the hormones dopamine and norepinephrine are replaced by oxytocin, which is known as the “cuddle” hormone.
For those who are romantically in love, the desire can grow into a deeper commitment to the other person and may even result in marriage. It can also lead to intense jealousy, a feeling of possessiveness and insecurity. This is because when we think about the person we love, we may see their faults more clearly than we do their good qualities.
It is possible to fall out of love — and many of us have, at least temporarily. When you fall out of love, it can be a painful experience. But you can take heart in knowing that it is a normal part of the process and that the feelings will return.
When you’re writing about love, try to avoid the mushy stuff and give your readers more than just a feeling. Add some detail to your story, such as how much your love’s habit of checking Instagram at lunch drives you crazy. This will help your readers connect with your story on a more personal level.