What Is Love?

I’m sitting here contemplating that question, only to realize that although we all have a general understanding of the word, it means something different to everyone. In addition, there are different kinds and levels of love, which complicates it even more.

It can be communicated through a gentle touch, a passionate kiss, a soft look or even by cleaning the bathroom. I might’ve lost some of you on the last one, but that was honestly one of the most romantic things my husband ever did for me.

We’d been together for over ten years, had two young children, and I’d returned from a book convention to find our master bath scrubbed from top to bottom. And yes, that bathroom was on the bottom of my cleaning list given no one ever saw it but us. The joy I felt when I walked in, exhausted both mentally and physically, and saw our bathroom sparkling like those bygone times before kids and life took over, had me in tears.

I sat on the edge of the tub and cried because it was one thing I no longer had to do. That was love to me.

My husband had taken a weight and removed it without me having to ask.

He’d been alone with the kids for five days and not only managed that without complaint, but scrubbed the bathroom, vacuumed the house, went grocery shopping and had the kitchen cleaned before I returned. Yes, it’s things I do every week, but he was my superhero when I was able to collapse on the couch in a state of conference fog and simply relax and cuddle with my kids.

In the end, I believe that’s how love evolves and matures. It starts out in a rush of excitement and possibilities, but transitions to something softer, something that speaks in daily actions of support. It’s the morning coffee brought to you in bed or taking your kids out so your partner can sleep or work or simply sit in the quiet. It’s cleaning the bathroom because you know it’ll help and stepping up even when you’d rather step back.

Love isn’t all sunshine and fireworks. It’s hard and sometimes it’s even a matter of enduring. But it can also lift you when you don’t expect it and support you when you need it most.

What’s the most unromantic romantic thing your partner has ever done for you?

After Hours by Lynda Aicher was just released! I have yet to read it, but I really enjoyed her m/m Kick series.

Need a sexy book to read this month? Head over to TLC Book Tours for some recs.