Definition Of Love

This is a weekly engagement -WK 138 of Hive Ghana community and I am happy to write on one of the interesting topics that says: YOUR DEFINITION OF LOVE. I will start by sharing a story of my best friend who called me yesterday night to complain the hash treatment that she has been getting from her husband. And that call inspired me to write on this particular topic.

My friend called to tell me that because they had a misunderstanding her husband started shouting on top of his voice calling her names like, stupid, senseless, useless and other abusive words. Meanwhile she is the bread winner of the family, she will provide financially, while the man sleeps at home, she will cook, she will wash, she will clean, in fact she practically dose everything in the house, and what does she get in return? Insults upon insults.

I could not sleep last night, I began to think about love and the meaning of love. My holy book says, and I quote! Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interest, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Love is a deep care, strong affection, concern for other people and their well being. Yes we cultivate love, we nurture love, and we express it through our words and actions. In a romantic relationship or marriage, love should come with mutual respect, kindness, and responsibilities. Yes there are challenges and marital struggles, which calls for tolerating each others bad habits once in a while. Being called names, like stupid, senseless, and useless is no longer marital struggles or challenge, it has become emotional abuse, and that simply means that the weight of the marriage or relationship is resting on one person, which is not supposed to be. Real love does not break a person or make them feel worthless, no, no. Real love does not use abusive language, real love does not behave indecently, real love does not only receives but gives, real love does not become easily provoked, real love supports, real love encourages growth.

In a romantic relationship, unconditional love exists, because it can be likened to, 'loving someone no matter what'. So I think it should have boundaries. Enduring constant pain, disrespect, emotional harm, I call it sacrifice not unconditional love. And that sacrifice is unhealthy and damaging I will not advice anyone to walk that part.

I have only been in love with one person, and that person is my husband. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. He is caring, understanding, and supportive. He's always there to listen to me, he always respects and stand by me. Yes there are challenges and struggles, but together we continue to stand strong against all odds.

Loving him has given me peace and confidence. Do you think that unconditional love is real when it comes to romantic relationships? I will love to know you stand on this or any of the three topics. As for me, yes unconditional love exists in a romantic relationship but I strongly suggests, it must have boundaries. Thank you all for stopping by my blog. I still remain @sarahbaby. See you in the next contest.