Love, what is it, is it real, does it matter?

[cat03]

there was the puppy love, the "summer" of love, when the person you fell for was flawless and every love song was composed for you and your intended.

After the honeymoon and the 1rst year you and your S find faults in each other, the "lightning bold", the rainbows and pixie dust fade a bit. Love is knowing someone and still want them, like them, for who they are.

Later on, love becomes a decision, a commitment, because why would you stay w/someone if they did irritating things that you can't stand? because you consciously accept that person, with their good and bad traits and DECIDE to stick by and give them your affection and time. Because you made your vows at the altar to love and cherish for better and for worse.

Not until I lost my H that I saw how much I loved him, how I loved hearing the screen slam shut and the door swinging open kwowing it was him, how it was nice to come home and see his car on the driveway. I almost killed the love he had for me with my negligence and bad attitude.
He thought what he felt for me was a cover up, he made himself believed he never was truly happy in order to leave. When he came back he realized we had a history together and that we did have good times. He had to build his love back up for me, I knew it, it hurt, but months went by and he is able to tell me he loves me and give me a heartfelt hug.