Types of Love

One thing I've noticed in life is that there are all sorts of different kinds of love.

There is the kind of love that forms a deep bond that endures, but is not necessarily any kind of infatuation. This would be the kind of love children have for their parents or we have for a childhood friend we don't get to see as often as we would like (hey Ivan, what's up?).

On the more romantic side, there are still different styles of amor. Some just grab you and fade away quickly. Others can last a lifetime but not truly change you. There is another kind though, the kind most of us run from. The kind of love that is difficult and takes a lot of work but makes us see ourselves for what we can be rather than what we are. Other people looking in may say "those two will never make it." Certainly it is seldom easy, but it is always worthwhile.

Modern society has reduced our attention span to that of a soundbite. We expect instant gratification and satisfaction. Romance novels and movies often make it look like this kind of love will just fall into our laps. Sometimes it does. But are we willing to fight for it? Are we willing to make it work to better ourselves and the other person? Unfortunately in life most people aren't. This kind of love can hurt like hell at times; but the best things in life are not free. They are built with blood and sweat and tears. And we are always better for it in the end.