I Love You

“I love you.” That simple phrase helps make the world spin. On their own, the words have no meaning behind them. After all, they are just a set of letters lined up to make a sentence. So what makes them special? Why is it when I use those words, my stomach turns and my heart lights up? I thought about this today as I walked around the BYU-I campus. Everywhere I go here, I can see two kids hand in hand, young, full of life, and filled with love. The first few times of witnessing this act of tranquility, I found it rather annoying, as usually the two participants completely disregard the world around them and typically become a public nuisance. However, as I walked behind a set of “love birds” I wondered, “how could you forget about life because of one person being next to you?” Searching for the answer, I asked the question, “what is love?” According to the Merriam - Webster dictionary, love is defined as “an intense feeling of deep affection.” So, I ask, where does this entrenchment of affection come from? From what I know from human nature, the natural man’s primary focus is to benefit ourselves, no matter the cost. A very cutthroat, and maybe brutal approach, and if you were to ask people, they would most likely say that way of thinking is terrible, and how they would never do that. Nonetheless, I witness this behavior all the time. Ranging from serving yourself at the dinner table first, to taking the life of another for a few pieces of paper, this natural man mentality becomes visible and emerges from our souls in different parts of our lives, and it’s inevitable. If that natural man is inevitable, then why am I willing to completely disregard my life to protect a person that happens to share the same last name as me? Or why is a mother willing to sacrifice her time, finances, or give up part of her happiness for an infant? Why do I, after a few weeks of knowing someone, make their successes, my successes? What gives us as people this drive to give up that natural man to protect and assist the life of another? I believe the answer to this is the bonds that we have between people. Experiences and challenges weren’t made to be walked alone, and certain people cross paths with us, and help us become better. (At least, most people do.) When we accomplish trials with that companion, I believe that “deep affection” makes itself known to us and brings us closer to the ones that help us, in the form of trust. This trust, is in a way, a person giving up a part of themselves, to another, in hopes that they don’t destroy that piece of their life bestowed to them, and to make them better. When this trust is maintained and cherished, this gives us the love many people so desperately seek from another being. We as humans weren’t meant to be fully alone. We yearn for the comfort and trust from another being. I believe we were created this way because God knew that some tasks are impossible to do completely alone. Because of this, I think we are truly our best selves when we know that somewhere out there, there is someone out there that truly loves us, someone who cares about our success. That’s why it’s so easy to lose hope in this life when we sincerely believe that nobody loves us. However, I am here to say that everyone is loved. Never believe that you are truly alone. That deep entrenchment of compassion and trust is given to all of us. And for those that may feel alone, and in need of a friend, I will walk with you, and be your ally. Here’s to those that feel that they can’t continue forward, but still wake up everyday and tackle their fears. I hope that those who read this remember, that I love you.