What is love?

A few years ago when I told my ex-husband that I wanted a divorce, I was a little taken back by his response. I heard him cry for the first time in my life and he pleaded for me to not leave him. He kept repeaing to me that we could work out whatever issues there were and that he loved me.

That sounds fine, sure, but also can be looked at as something that is easier said than done. You see, I had tried for a few months to resolve the issues that were at the table. I was on my wits end with trying and I was down to my last breath. Sure, when we got married I loved him more than anything. But the question at hand was, "Was I actually in love with him?"

At the time, I did not understand the reasoning behind his actions. I felt that if I wanted out, I should be let out. Again, That was something that was easier said than done, and I was headed down a whirlwind of emotions that would carry me onto my next phase in life.

You see, Love is an emotional bond that no one wants to let go of easily. It makes you do things that you never would have imagined doing otherwise. It carries no boundaries and will do whatever is in it's power to do when ultimately, there is nothing more you can do.

Recently I have been shown the same treatment that I once showed my ex-husband. I met a guy, fell madly in love with him just to be given the same closed door that I once gave my ex. At first, I didn't understand it. I had no idea the reasoning behind his decisions or his actions. At the end of the break-up conversation, I remember vividly telling him, "I will always love you, no matter what you do to me."

Now, I wasn't giving him the ticket to treat me badly. I was simply sharing with him how I felt. About a week and a half goes by and I messaged him asking if he had seen my sunglasses around his place anywhere and if so, could I stop by for them. He said they were and told me when a good time would be to come get them. When I stopped by, He showed me where they were and on my way out, I stopped him and said, "Hey, you know I still love you right?" He, of course, followed it with a "You're crazy". He did not mean crazy in the psychotic sense, he mean't it as, "That's crazy that you still love me after all that I have done to you."

My response? "Well, true love never dies, that's what they say, right?" He agreed and I walked out.

So the question comes to mind, When a situation occurs where you find yourself lost, hopeless, madly in love and without your "soulmate", What do you do? How do you know that this love you feel is the real deal, and should you fight for it?

These are all good questions, but the answers are different for everyone. Love is something that should be handled with care, evolves and strengthens with time.