That Infamous Four-Letter Word
Love.
It is such a driving force in our world; in our lives. It has the power to start wars and demolish empires. In stories and myths, some people have been so desperate to have it that they have sold their souls for even a fraction of the feeling. In the Greek myths of old, poor Orpheus couldn’t save Eurydice but he did journey to the depths of Hades to find her.
There is a reason that most songs are love songs or merely love songs in disguise. So as Valentine’s Day rolls around, we once again have a new reminder of love. But what is it really? What does that infamous four-letter word really signify?
Is it uncontrollable passion; a fiery scourge that consumes everything in its wake until it fizzles out as fast as it was started? Or is it something softer, subtler? A gentle embrace from a friend who holds you as you cry and keeps you upright through the hurricane of life? A blanket placed on your prone form when you fall asleep at your desk studying the night away? A hand to hold on a quiet walk to school; a small reminder that you’re not alone? I think that the answer to this question can only be found in each of our individual hearts. And trust me, I know it sounds supremely cheesy, like a line from a poorly written rom-com, but it’s true! There is no one way to define or quantify what love truly is because it is in everything. It is in gestures and glances and beating hearts. Friends and sisters, mothers, fathers and yes, partners.
Ah yes romantic love, arguably the most sought after variety of affection and something that many college students are still desperately searching for. I know many people wish for it with a burning passion (pardon the pun) but let me let you in on a secret: you don’t need to put pressure on yourself to find it. I know in this society, especially as Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s hard not to, especially when you see so many others unwittingly flaunting exactly what your heart yearns for.
However, if you aren’t truly ready for it, you are more likely to end up with a broken heart rather than find your true love. This broken heart will be even worse than the pain of not having love at all. The same truth applies if you rush into a relationship with someone you aren’t really interested in just so you have a Valentine. If you want a relationship just so you can check off some box on the checklist of life, then you’ve entirely missed the point.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no magic timeline for your first kiss or your first partner. As infuriating as it is, love is an unpredictable and uncontrollable force that can be nudged at times but never forced. That is something that is hard to accept for many, especially as we are bombarded with catchy choruses about honeyed lips in songs and perfect love stories on screen. Yet worry not my lovelorn friends, for you never know whom you will encounter next. That is perhaps the beauty of love’s unpredictability, while it truly irks us to not be in control, it is bound to find us when we least expect it but need it most.
By: Brianna Fasoli
