Love is an emotion created by chemicals. It seems to encourage people to pair up and procreate. It often keeps the man around long enough to help bring up the kiddos. Perhaps half the time, it keeps the couple paired for an entire lifetime.
Love changes over the course of life. The initial impetus to mate soon fades, and must be replaced with affection and respect and enjoyment of the other person, or the relationship will not stay together.
To the person experiencing love, none of what I said above applies. Love is an overwhelming emotion; undescribable and wonderful. It takes you over, and makes it so you can not think of anything but caring for the person you love. This is true for children as it is for mates.
Love is usually reciprocal to a greater or lesser extent. Sometimes one person loves the other more than they are loved. This causes problems. When it is equally reciprocal, the relationship has the best chance.
People in love have a complicated set of expectations of each other. They expect to be made happy by their lover. They often believe that it is only about giving to their partner, but usually, if they don’t get enough back, the bloom of love fades.
Love is tricky. Love is tough. Love can make you the strongest person in the world. It can also make you the weakest. Love is wonderful. Love can destroy your life.
Love is a complicated thing.