Love is not just a Feeling

What is love?

Some may say that love is a strong feeling of liking for a person or an individual.

I recall one of the talks I heard from the youth group I joined in my teen years. Love is not just plain feelings, it's a decision. When I was there sitting and thinking what it meant I thought, how can love be a decision? Isn't it a feeling? Some guys would say, "Can you feel my love for you?" So how can it be a decision? Something you include your brains and reasoning with. For sure you can feel love emotionally. But I learned that Love is a commitment. A promise.

Love as a commitment and a promise.

When I first heard this, I did not understand it yet since I was of course thinking that I needed to experience love first hand before I can say that I fully understand the concept. When I met my husband I did not really experience the overwhelming feeling of love. But as time goes by I began to like him. Little by little I began to see his efforts, his care, his thoughtfulness and his concern for me. He never misses to say I love you. When you say the words "I love you" it is making a promise or making a commitment to that person that whatever happens, whatever the person's status is you will still love the person for who they are, no matter what. My hubby and I went steady for 7 years before we tied the knot. In that 7 long years, we have seen and learned our difference in attitudes, likes and dislikes. Sure there were a lot of arguments and issues. And it leads us to think of breaking up, but we can't do it! When we first felt and realized that we love each other, we promised that whatever happens, we will make the relationship work for both of us.

Making a commitment does not expect us to be perfect. But at least we try to achieve what we have promised. I have decided to love my husband when I first said "yes" when he asked if I love him too when he was courting me. It's still the same answer that I gave him when I answered the priest's question when we tied the knot. And it still is my answer if somebody would ask me now.

Loving is a promise to commit yourself to the person you love with all the imperfections we see. Love is a promise to always try your best to make that commitment happen.

Love is a decision.