Love means that I know the person I love.I'm aware of the many sides of the other person — not just the beautiful side but also the limitations,inconsistencies and faults.I have an awareness of the other's feelings and thoughts,and I experience something of the core of that person.I can penetrate social masks and roles and see the other person on a deeper level.
Love means that I care about the welfare of the person I love.To the extent that it is genuine,my caring is not possessive,nor does it hold the other person back.On the contrary,my caring frees both of us.If I care about you,I'm concerned about your growth,and I hope you will become all that you can become.Consequently,I don't put up obstacles to what you do that enhances you as a person,even though it may result in my discomfort at times.
Love means having respect for the dignity of the person I love.If I love you,I can see you as a separate person,with your own values and thoughts and feelings,and I do not insist that you surrender your identity to match an image of what I expect you to be for me.I can allow and encourage you to stand alone and to be who you are,and I avoid treating you as an object or using you primarily to satisfy my own needs.
