A wise.man once told me 'love is a verb, not a noun'. Anything that doesn't involve mutual support, compromise, and work is not the real thing. It should call us to action.
Yes, exactly! I’ve always felt that way too—love isn’t just something you fall into, it’s something you show in the way you show up. It’s in the little choices, the give and take, the way you keep showing up for each other even when it’s not easy. That’s the kind of love that actually lasts.
Mike, that’s such a simple yet profound way to put it. Love isn’t just a feeling...it’s something we do, something we choose, something we show up for. The stories we’re told often make it seem effortless, but real love requires presence, care, and action. Thank you for sharing this wisdom!
I love your post on so many levels. I have also found that life is as much about learning as it is about un-learning so many things we have been conditioned to believe.
Thank you so much! That’s exactly it...so much of growth is unlearning the stories, expectations, and beliefs we were handed. It’s liberating (and sometimes unsettling) to realise how much of what we thought was “truth” was just conditioning. Here’s to continuously rewriting the narrative in ways that actually serve us!
A lovely piece, Salwa. I was really struck by a couple we know only very loosely, saying to me recently, "With your husband away, you call if you need anything at all." I found that so touching as I could tell they really meant it. I felt the love of having that care show up in such practical way.
Thank you Suse, and that’s such a beautiful example of love showing up in the quiet, everyday moments....the kind that doesn’t need grand gestures to be deeply felt. Sometimes, the simplest words, spoken with sincerity, can remind us just how connected we truly are. Thank you for sharing that moment! 💛
Your perspective resonates deeply, challenging the conventional notions of love that often feel restrictive. I concur and would add that this evolved understanding of love should also encompass self-love - a profound acceptance of oneself coupled with the vision of personal growth. This self-love forms the foundation for authentic connections with others.
Leborah, yes! I love that addition...self-love is such a crucial part of this. When we release the pressure to fit love into a predefined mold, we also make space for a deeper, more compassionate relationship with ourselves. And from that place, we’re able to build connections that feel real, not just performative. Beautifully said! 💛
Salwa, thank you for working to bust the myth. No one completes me but me. When one is complete one finds love everywhere and romantic love is so much deeper. Codependency is not the place to find love.🤍
David, exactly! Love rooted in wholeness is so much richer than love rooted in need. When we stop looking for someone to “complete” us, we open ourselves up to love that is free, deep, and real—not built on dependency, but on mutual growth and connection. Beautifully said. 🤍
Reading this made me think about all the quiet, uncelebrated forms of love I’ve experienced — the ones that didn’t come with fireworks, but changed me just the same. Grateful for the way you captured this.
Jen, yes! Those quiet, uncelebrated forms of love often hold the most depth. They might not come with grand gestures, but they shape us in ways that stay. I’m so glad this resonated with you. ❤️
Salwa, love the idea of a new narrative around this!
Love is also such a deeply personal and intra personal thing - like the people that experience and express it- it is every changing, can grow, and requires attention. As Mike wonderfully said below it should 'call us to action'.
David, Thank you! I love how you put that—love is ever-changing, personal, and something that grows with us. And yes, Mike’s words really stuck with me too...love should call us to action. It’s not just a feeling, but something we actively nurture. So glad this resonated with you! ❤️
I don't know what to think about this piece. A large family started attending the congregation I was preaching for. That's the big picture but now for the short view. The parents had their children, including a widowed daughter with three children. One April, I asked her if she wanted to see where I went to college. We went. On June 30th we were married. We had 62 years together before she passed away. I am now 87 and satisfied with the love we shared. It was God who had this in mind before I was looking for a wife.
Larry, what a beautiful story of love, timing, and faith. Sixty-two years together is an incredible testament to the depth of the bond you shared. It’s amazing how life unfolds in ways we don’t always anticipate, but looking back, it all seems to fit like it was meant to be. Thank you for sharing this....it’s a reminder that love doesn’t always follow a script, but when it’s real, it lasts. ❤️
A wise.man once told me 'love is a verb, not a noun'. Anything that doesn't involve mutual support, compromise, and work is not the real thing. It should call us to action.
Yes, exactly! I’ve always felt that way too—love isn’t just something you fall into, it’s something you show in the way you show up. It’s in the little choices, the give and take, the way you keep showing up for each other even when it’s not easy. That’s the kind of love that actually lasts.
Mike, that’s such a simple yet profound way to put it. Love isn’t just a feeling...it’s something we do, something we choose, something we show up for. The stories we’re told often make it seem effortless, but real love requires presence, care, and action. Thank you for sharing this wisdom!
I love your post on so many levels. I have also found that life is as much about learning as it is about un-learning so many things we have been conditioned to believe.
Thank you so much! That’s exactly it...so much of growth is unlearning the stories, expectations, and beliefs we were handed. It’s liberating (and sometimes unsettling) to realise how much of what we thought was “truth” was just conditioning. Here’s to continuously rewriting the narrative in ways that actually serve us!
A lovely piece, Salwa. I was really struck by a couple we know only very loosely, saying to me recently, "With your husband away, you call if you need anything at all." I found that so touching as I could tell they really meant it. I felt the love of having that care show up in such practical way.
Thank you Suse, and that’s such a beautiful example of love showing up in the quiet, everyday moments....the kind that doesn’t need grand gestures to be deeply felt. Sometimes, the simplest words, spoken with sincerity, can remind us just how connected we truly are. Thank you for sharing that moment! 💛
Salwa!
Your perspective resonates deeply, challenging the conventional notions of love that often feel restrictive. I concur and would add that this evolved understanding of love should also encompass self-love - a profound acceptance of oneself coupled with the vision of personal growth. This self-love forms the foundation for authentic connections with others.
Leborah, yes! I love that addition...self-love is such a crucial part of this. When we release the pressure to fit love into a predefined mold, we also make space for a deeper, more compassionate relationship with ourselves. And from that place, we’re able to build connections that feel real, not just performative. Beautifully said! 💛
Salwa, thank you for working to bust the myth. No one completes me but me. When one is complete one finds love everywhere and romantic love is so much deeper. Codependency is not the place to find love.🤍
David, exactly! Love rooted in wholeness is so much richer than love rooted in need. When we stop looking for someone to “complete” us, we open ourselves up to love that is free, deep, and real—not built on dependency, but on mutual growth and connection. Beautifully said. 🤍
Reading this made me think about all the quiet, uncelebrated forms of love I’ve experienced — the ones that didn’t come with fireworks, but changed me just the same. Grateful for the way you captured this.
Jen, yes! Those quiet, uncelebrated forms of love often hold the most depth. They might not come with grand gestures, but they shape us in ways that stay. I’m so glad this resonated with you. ❤️
So true! This is a profound message!
Thank you Amy ❤️
Brilliant!
Thank you Brenda ❤️
Salwa, love the idea of a new narrative around this!
Love is also such a deeply personal and intra personal thing - like the people that experience and express it- it is every changing, can grow, and requires attention. As Mike wonderfully said below it should 'call us to action'.
Another great piece, Salwa. Lovely.
David, Thank you! I love how you put that—love is ever-changing, personal, and something that grows with us. And yes, Mike’s words really stuck with me too...love should call us to action. It’s not just a feeling, but something we actively nurture. So glad this resonated with you! ❤️
Beautifully written. 🫶🏾
Thank you Athina ❤️
Love this so much 🤎
Thank you Jennifer 🤎
Oh my goodness yes! Love is not a fairytale. Lovely explanation!
Thank you Rea ❤️
Such a powerful and inspiring read Salwa.
Thank you Sara ❤️
Enjoyed reading it ❤️
My pleasure ❤️
I don't know what to think about this piece. A large family started attending the congregation I was preaching for. That's the big picture but now for the short view. The parents had their children, including a widowed daughter with three children. One April, I asked her if she wanted to see where I went to college. We went. On June 30th we were married. We had 62 years together before she passed away. I am now 87 and satisfied with the love we shared. It was God who had this in mind before I was looking for a wife.
Larry, what a beautiful story of love, timing, and faith. Sixty-two years together is an incredible testament to the depth of the bond you shared. It’s amazing how life unfolds in ways we don’t always anticipate, but looking back, it all seems to fit like it was meant to be. Thank you for sharing this....it’s a reminder that love doesn’t always follow a script, but when it’s real, it lasts. ❤️
I should write (it would be long) more of God's leading and providing in my life. That whole story is still a marvel to me.
What a beautiful, insightful piece!
Thank you Gabrielle ❤️