Love. It’s a word we use so casually. “I love this song,” “Love your shoes!” But when it comes to romantic love, defining it becomes a lot more complex. Is it a feeling? A choice? A combination of both? For those navigating new relationships, love can feel exciting yet confusing. For couples who have been together for years, love might represent something deeper, like unwavering loyalty and commitment.
No matter your relationship status, everyone has their own ideas about love and what it truly means, especially within the context of a healthy relationship. To gain a broader understanding of this powerful emotion, we asked 10 individuals in various relationship stages to share their personal definitions of love. Their answers might just reshape How You Define Love yourself.
What Love Means When You’re Single
Person thoughtfully looking out of a window, representing introspection and defining love when single
Love is Security
“For me, love is the ultimate feeling of security. It’s about having someone who is your companion, your best friend, your lover, your partner, your sounding board, your biggest cheerleader, your trusted advisor, and your comforting cuddle buddy, all through the incredible journey of life.”
– Ash D.
Love is Beyond Words
“Love is a profound emotion, so deep and nuanced that it truly defies definition in mere words.”
– Kurt S.
Love is Mutual Giving and Taking
“A healthy relationship, at its core, is about completely opening yourself up and sharing your deepest feelings and daily life with another person. This sharing must be a two-way street. If either person is lacking in giving or receiving in any area of the relationship, it creates an imbalance that can make the relationship unhealthy and unsustainable.”
– Dylan P.
Love is Rooted in Respect
“In my view, a healthy relationship is fundamentally built upon a foundation of mutual respect. It’s about each individual deeply understanding the commitment they are making to the other person and honoring that commitment through respect.”
– Skylar M.
Love is Being Harmoniously In-Sync
“While a healthy relationship can take many different forms, the most critical element is being in-sync with your partner. Whether that means constant communication throughout the day or agreeing on a different communication style that suits both your lives, the key is mutual understanding and agreement. Alignment on these aspects is what truly matters.”
– Zane P.
Love is Dedicated Commitment
“The cornerstone of a successful and healthy relationship is commitment, which, while daunting, is absolutely essential. Being consistently present and supportive for someone is the essence of a real relationship. When we fail to invest effort, we risk losing out on connections that could have been incredibly meaningful. When you dedicate yourself to someone who reciprocates that effort, love can become the most extraordinary experience imaginable.”
– Adam B.
What Love Means After One Year or More
Couple laughing together outdoors, symbolizing growth and shared experiences in a relationship
Love is Embracing Vulnerability
“Love is inherently vulnerable and, in a way, quite scary. It’s like handing someone a detailed map of all your insecurities and imperfections and trusting them implicitly not to exploit that knowledge. But in that vulnerability lies immense beauty; it pushes you to undertake the most challenging yet rewarding human act: being truly vulnerable.”
– Alex G.
Love is About “Growing Together”
“Relationships aren’t always smooth sailing. There will be times when your partner does things that frustrate or anger you. However, true love is about choosing to view these moments not as roadblocks, but as valuable opportunities for mutual growth and deeper understanding.”
– Jared B.
Love is Understanding Love Languages
“To love someone more effectively, you need to understand what truly makes them feel loved and happy. For my partner, it’s physical touch like back scratches and hugs. For me, it’s verbal affirmations like ‘I appreciate you’ or ‘You look beautiful.’ By understanding each other’s love languages, we’ve learned to express love in ways that resonate deeply, and we constantly seek new ways to bring joy to each other.”
– Vanessa S.
Love is Open and Honest Communication
“When I talk about communication, I’m referring to meaningful conversations beyond just texting. I mean actual phone calls and video calls. Texting can easily lead to misinterpretations, causing unnecessary conflicts and eroding trust. So, if I could emphasize one aspect of healthy relationships, it’s the importance of trust and clear, direct communication.”
– Vanessa S.
Love is Equality in Partnership
“In my opinion, a truly healthy relationship is characterized by equality between partners. It’s about equal measures of love given and received, equal respect shown, and equal care and consideration for each other’s feelings and needs.”
– Amber H.
What Love Means in Long-Term Relationships
Love is Accepting Imperfections
“We are all imperfect human beings, constantly evolving and changing. Accepting each other’s flaws and exercising patience are ongoing processes that are crucial for continuous growth together as a couple.”
– Sasha M.
Love is Enduring Patience
“Disagreements are inevitable in any relationship. The true test of love is when you can challenge each other’s patience and still find your way back to love, kindness, and mutual respect. That feeling of security and unwavering support is something I deeply cherish and never want to lose.”
– Preston N.
Discover more valuable insights and advice on building healthy relationships.
