When you love, what is it that you love?

In a recent Psychology Today article Lynne Soraya asks, “When we love, what exactly is it that we love?” Seems like a timely question, given the topic of Hallmark, jewelry, and florist commercials. It’s one worth thinking about… It’s possible that love is shared interest, physical looks/attraction, or something else. Maybe love is all about what the “love” does for you... If one listens to long-term couples talk about what made their relationship work it’s things like commitment, caring, a sense of humor, and working things through together. One gets the idea that things like gray hair, arthritis, reduced sex drive, and hearing loss do not make the love disappear. I suspect that the truth of this idea depends upon one’s answer to the “love” question, but is that all there is to it? Think about a parent’s wish for a child to grow up having friends and socializing with others, partnering, and having children. Consider Louise Kinross’s story about her son, who has a disability, and finds himself friendless as a preteen. People of all ages living with a disability are at-risk for social isolation and lovelessness. All evidence suggests that this is not because people with a disability are unable to care or commit, lack a sense of humor, or can’t work things out with others.--- When you love, what is it that you love? To read Lynne Soraya’s article go to http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/aspergers-diary/201201/love-identity-and-disability For Louise Kinross’s story about her son visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/louise-kinross/genetic-disability-friendship_b_1263895.html