I was brought up to understand love as an act of caring for those around you. Being of service, without any negative feelings. Cooking, cleaning, putting up with everyone's abuse without showing any effect. Being totally compliant with the person you are supposed to love. Not giving them any need for upset.

In other words. I never felt love, therefore I never understood it.......

Not until I had my beautiful son. I do want to take care of him, yes-but I also want to share things with him, show him things, spend time with him, and just give him a hug. I don't want any harm to come to him, and I want to help him grow into a happy, loving, successful man. I want to nurture him as I was never nurtured.

That is now my understanding of love. I love my son (and my dog)