How has "love" become to diminished in meaning? Back in the days of black and white views on morals, love was only said, when it was truly meant. Now, in this day and age of technicolor and racing pulses and impulses, love is thrown around and definitely does not mean anything anymore. Love- "real" love is dead.
But now, people are throwing around "love of my life" and it is starting to piss me off. Society has already decreased the value of other terms of endearment and affection, now "love of my life" is well out the door.
Why does it bother me so much? Because that phrase is coming out of the mouth of young people. Teens, young adults, middle-aged adults- they are all saying "love of my life". If you are not grey or white in the head and over the age of 50 at least- you have not lived your damned life. You are still alive- not on your death bed (at least I hope not), you cannot say if someone is the "love of your life" if you have not lived it yet.
I get it, you want to be romantic. You have these deep feelings for someone and the only way to convey it is to use the most powerful word we know- which is "love". But, the subconscious of society has already realized the damage it has done to the word, so now we alter it a bit. We've altered "love" to "love of my life" to try and give it back the purity it used to have.
All for nothing. Because, just as its core word, that phrase is now being misused.
Couples always want to say, their partner is the love of their life. They planned on marriage; they are married; they have kids together; they grew up together. Sadly, that doesn't mean anything.
The only way you can trust the words "love of my life" from someone else's mouth is if you are by the bedside of a dying person; or, if you are the child of a person, because all children should naturally be the love of any parent's life.
I used to believe in the purity of love. I, myself, refrain from using it unless I am sure of my feelings. I am never the first to say "I love you". I will always wait no matter how long it takes, because for me, love is still rare and important. You should only love people that are a part of your soul. And, you cannot let anyone- just anyone, be a part of you.
The love of your life should be someone you spent your whole life searching for, waiting for. The love of your life should make you feel and think in ways you never felt. The love of your life never disappears, even in death. The love of your life is unique. The love of your life is not easy to come by. You need to earn it, because finding it and acknowledging and accepting it- is a journey.
