We live in a time where everyone has a different definition for love, yet most of us are still confused by it.
Some say love is a feeling.
Some say it’s a choice, which i strongly still believe most times.
Some others say it’s chemistry, timing, compatibility, sacrifice, attachment, Shared trauma, or even luck.
Currently I think love is not one thing, it’s a combination of presence, patience, and intention. I have told stories of my previous love experiences here on Hive, none of them were pleasant but i still love the idea of loving a person.
Love to me, is how someone treats you when it’s not convenient.
When the excitement fades.
When the mood shifts.
When life becomes messy and you’re not your best version anymore, that’s when love reveals its true shape.
I don’t think love is just about butterflies or constant happiness.
Dont get me wrong, these things are beautiful but they are temporal.
Real love shows up in small moments like checking in even when its not convenient, listening without trying to fix everything, andstaying when walking away would be easier.
Now the big question today "is unconditional love real in romantic relationships?"
I don’t think unconditional love exists in the way people romanticize it.
I believe love is deep, but it still needs respect. It still needs boundaries. It still needs effort from both sides. Loving someone does not mean tolerating emotional harm, neglect, or dishonesty from them in the name of forever.
Unconditional love sounds poetic but in reality, healthy love has conditions.
Conditions like honesty, growth, communication, safety, and mutual care.
Without these things, love becomes an attachment, not connection.
The kind of love I currently experience is the kind that sees me without me needing to explain myself too much. The kind that brings me comfort in silence, Like someone noticing when my energy changed before I even said anything.
I remember one moment very clearly. I was going through a period where nothing felt certain career, direction, identity, everything felt blurry. I wasn’t depressed, but I wasn’t okay too.
And instead of trying to motivate me or push me, this person simply said, “You don’t have to be strong all the time. I’m here.”
That sentence did more for me than any advice ever could, and i came to the realization that love is not about fixing someone. It’s about creating a space where they can exist fully even in confusion.
I’ve also learned that love teaches you a lot about yourself.
About Your fears.
About Your expectations.
About Your insecurities, and your attachment patterns.
Being in love exposes parts of you that you didn’t know needed healing.
It shows you where you’re patient and where you’re selfish.
Where you’re open and where you’re guarded.
My mom says Love is like a mirror always honest, shows you exactly what you are.
My definition of love is simple.
Love is choosing someone again and again, while also choosing yourself.
It’s caring deeply, without losing your identity.
It’s emotional safety, not emotional dependence.
It’s growing together.
Really, love is a lot of things.
And the most important and fun part is, Love is not about perfect people finding each other.
It’s about imperfect people deciding to be honest, consistent, and kind, even when it’s hard.