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Defining True Love: Everyone has his or her own interpretation of True Love. Those, who are new at it, view it as an exciting roller-coaster ride. A tingle in your belly that reduces you to a simpering, whimpering fool. A feeling of wanting to spend the rest of their life locked in a closet together. Non-stop sex!

Actually, True Love is much more subtle. It's more like sharing a remote. And watching a movie that only one of you likes. Or putting your cold feet on his warm body, without him complaining True love is wearing an old nightgown and having your hair in rollers and him saying, "You're gorgeous." And meaning it. True love is being able to sit silently in a room, with each other, and feeling perfectly content. It's being angry at each other, and feeling like calling the other a "jerk" but holding back. It's laughing in the middle of a heated argument. Or having a pillow fight. True love is when he buys you clothes three sizes smaller than your actual size, sincerely believing you'll fit in them.. It's holding hands and going for walks together. It's defining happiness as the two of you cuddling under a big fluffy quilt and munching on popcorn. True love is your husband saying, "You look as beautiful as the day I met you," twenty or more years later. And telling you that the few wrinkles you've recently acquired are merely "laugh lines."

True Love is not simply tolerating each other for convenience sake, but cherishing the time you spend together no matter how mundane some might view it. It's refraining from insults and harsh words which never leave. It's being up when the other is down and helping each other through the rough spots. It's weeding your garden together. Or walking your dog, side by side. It's being supportive and encouraging to your partner in sickness and in health. And respecting one another's views, even when they are in complete opposition to yours. It's realizing that we're only granted a short time with each other and that each moment together is precious.

True love is taking each other for granted. For granted meaning that you trust each other completely and unquestionably. It's accepting the other just as he or she is and not trying to take control. It's remembering birthdays and anniversaries and never deviating from thoughtfulness and little surprises.

True Love is being considerate of the other's feelings and trying to understand where the other is coming from. It's not letting an argument turn ugly and knowing when to raise the white flag.

It's when a feeling of calm sweeps over you and you feel your life is complete. It's taking an interest in each other's lives and making an effort to get involved. It's him not noticing the big red pimple on your nose. It's saying, "I love you," before you go to sleep. And body parts touching all night.

Of course everyone has his or her own interpretation of True Love.
When a young couple was asked what their idea of True Love is, the young couple said, "It's camping out and making love under the stars." A middle-aged couple had a slightly different spin on it. "True Love is sharing our electric toothbrush," said the wife. And a senior couple remarked, "True love is any relationship that lasts longer than your teeth."

Learn more about this author, Marie Tomas.
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