On Valentines Day we always offer a new version of our original feature “What Does True Love Mean to You?”
Love takes so many forms!
We hope you’ll enjoy our view of what true love means to us, and what it can mean to you. lease feel free to share it, leave comments, etc.
Alison & Tony aka. “Leather and Lace”
When we first began our relationship advice website, http://www leatherandlaceadvice.com we received a letter asking us: “How do I know if the love I have is a true love?”
We both answered the question but it wasn’t easy.
Since that time we have received many similar letter. Obviously, the question: “am in in love?” or “is someone in love with me? “ is on many people’s minds.
It’s particularly relevant to the “Day of Love- Valentines Day.” It might be a commercial holiday, but we can’t think of too many people who ignore it completely.
Do you have to be in a romantic relationship to experience true love? We don’t think so.
Tony’s Take on True Love:
For Tony, true love is ultimately caring for and caring about another person. Love is ultimately the desire to be with and around that person.
He asserts that we have absolutely no logical control over those we fall in love with. We know we are in love with them because they make us feel special and being around them makes us feel happy.
For a relationship to work instead of the sad feeling of unrequited love, that feeling must be mutual.
In the beginning, love is all-consuming. You fall “in love” with this person and your day and life revolve around their very existence. It’s the most passionate period of your relationship when you really become bonded with the other person.
However, like all bright flames, it can only burn hot for a period of time before cooling. You aren’t less in love with a person, but you’ve grown comfortable with them and secure in your relationship.
This person may still be your one, true love, but now it’s at a tender, intense and fulfilling level.
Alison’s Take on True Love:
When it comes to romantic relationships, it’s not a cliche to say that two people who truly love one another are are two parts of a whole.
You’re in sync. You can see it in the way you look at each other and in your body language.
You’re individuals, but you’re stronger when you’re one unit.
To be genuinely and deeply love in love can be such a powerful, overwhelming discovery, it can literally take your breath away.
No, not Just Lust:
It’s not lust that Tony and I are talking about.
True love gives you joy and a peaceful feeling that is always with you, even if that person isn’t by your side.
You know that there is someone who you love who loves you back just as much, and the world feels like a better place because you have been blessed with this special connection.
True love is a selfless one. In other words. You are that person’s cheerleader. You hope for their success, well being and happiness as much or more than your own.
Another Type of Love
You Would you voluntarily, gladly make a sacrifice for that person because it is important to them, even if there was nothing at all in it for you? That’s true love. But true love isn’t always romantic. For example, a parent’s love for a child, unconditional and sacred. Consider the situation with actress Debbie Reynolds and her daughter, Carrie Fisher,
They were so closely bonded when the daughter died, the mother died days later. The need to love and protect your child, and wish for their happiness is true love, too.
Love is a sort of involuntary submission — one that you may find yourself easily and gladly submitting to even if you know that it makes no logical sense.
True Love’s intense feelings remain even when the object of your affection has irritated or disappointed you (no one is perfect), Your love is for all that they are, even the imperfections.
True love isn’t all that common, but if you find it, you’re extremely lucky. If your relationship is one of true love, you are among the fortunate.
Your Valentines Day and every day, will be filled with joy.
WHAT DOES TRUE LOVE MEAN TO YOU? DO YOU AGREE WITH OUR DESCRIPTION? PLEASE KEEP THE DIALOGUE GOING, OR TWEET US @LEATHERLACEADV Sharing your thoughts with others is not just helpful to one person, it could be something that makes everyone feel better.
In fact, your opinion could be a life-saver for someone else reading this column who has the same or similar issues. We really feel bad when our columns don’t get any response to a feature or Q&A –then we wonder if it was interesting or helpful or it was just not striking a chord? Please support us and give some feedback! We thank you (Alison & Tony)
i agree with you…true love means that the two people who say they love the other person really love each other. They cannot only say it to themselves and the those people who are listening but they act about it. True love is never one sided where by one of many person in the relationship loves one other more than the other..anyway nice really nice post by aandt.