I have often found folks making the mistake of thinking that love is only a "thing that happens". As if it is some ethereal emotional experience that happens to your life whether you want it to or not.

Love is a choice. A choice we make, every day. Choosing to acknowledge the humanity of a stranger on the street - that is love. Choosing to wash the dishes for your family - that is love. Choosing to give your screw-up of a sibling a chance to make things right - that is love. Choosing to hear your enemy out - that is love. Choosing to hold your tongue so that someone may enjoy a moment in the spotlight - that is love. Choosing to put others ahead of yourself - that is love. Choosing to believe in the best of humanity - that is love. Working tirelessly to make the world a little bit better - that is love.

This is a good post, but I wanted to add a little comment here, because as much as romance is a part of love, the full spectrum is extends far beyond courtship and is, in the end, the thing that can save us humans from the darkness of our own souls.