by Sheila-Ann Bender

Created on: February 09, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Commitment and unconditional love. That's what "being in love" means to me. It means that you are committed to someone through the long-haul, no matter what. It means that you love them unconditionally, even if they lose every dime they have or a breast to cancer-you still love them with every ounce of your being.

Being in love means that when you have good news or sad, there is one person on earth you'd rather share it with above all others. It means that you have a best friend for life. You can only be in love with your very best friend-this should go without saying.

Bald is beautiful and extra pounds don't matter when you're truly in love. Hardships draw you closer instead of driving you apart. No one-not child, parent or friend-can come between you and the loyalty you have for each other.

Being in love means believing in that person even though the rest of the world does not. It means always believing in them, even when the evidence is stacked up against them, for you know them better than anyone-you know them better than they even know their self.

It means rejoicing in each other's triumphs and victories, and uplifting each other when the rest of the world knocks you down. It means you always have a cheerleader in your corner, even if you've only lost five founds or got a very small pay raise at work. Every accomplishment is huge when you're in love with someone.

Being in love means you always make him or her feel like a million dollars. You, above all others, make them feel they are capable of accomplishing anything and everything they set their heart to. You support their goals and dreams wholeheartedly, and glow with pride over the smallest achievement.

Being in love means accepting shortcomings and overlooking things you know can't be helped or that were not intentionally done to hurt you. Forgiveness comes easy because you love him or her so much. And contrary to what a popular motion picture wants us to believe, Love DOES mean having to say you're sorry. Being in love means you can swallow your pride enough to admit when you're wrong. It means that you know how to say you're sorry and ask for forgiveness.

It means that you communicate well with each other and take great precautions not to sweep your problems underneath a rug of avoidance, knowing they will only fester and become a relationship-threatening monster in the end. It means you listen-"really" listen until you understand where the other is coming from.

Being in love means you're together until the end. You are committed to each other until God calls one of you home, and you can sleep peacefully at night, confidently knowing that the person on the other side of the bed with you will be there until that appointed time.

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