Love (noun)-warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion

This is my favorite definition of love that Merriam-Webster provides

Of course

It’s not the only one

And we might be here forever if I tried to list every definition of love that has ever been

But this one is my favorite

 

I like the word warm

It reminds me of my mother’s arms after a day that has left me in tears

It reminds me of the feeling that would not leave my chest after the first time we kissed

It reminds me of hiding my younger cousin’s face from the smoke of a campfire

 

I like the word attachment

It reminds me of clinging to my cousins at my grandfather’s funeral

It reminds me of breaking when I realized I’ll be saying goodbye to my baby brother a year too soon

It reminds me of burning when a best friend would rather be a stranger

 

I like the word enthusiasm

It reminds me of not being able to stop smiling when I made a present for my parents

It reminds me of staying up all night dreaming of life after high school with my best friend

It reminds me of long letters to relatives I’ve only gotten to see in person once

 

But especially

I like the word devotion

It is forgiving my parents for things they could not help

It is writing my brother letters before he is even gone

It is forcing myself to eat when I am not hungry so that I can truly be here for those around me.

 

Love is warm

Love is attachment

Love is enthusiasm

Love is devotion.