A song states that love is a wonderful thing. Although this statement leaves sparse room for argument, it does little to define what love is beyond the vague realm of wonderful. Love is defined by its history, what it is not, and what it is.
             To begin, the origin of the word is probably the most logical place to start. The word love was created to explain the biological phenomenon that existed when certain individuals came into contact with each other. Regardless of the outcome, the relationship was usually characteristic of throat lumps, knotted stomachs, weak knees, temporary loss of language, sweaty palms and dizziness. Occasional nausea and belligerent insanity also resulted. History clearly illustrates this. Who can forget Romeo and Juliet? Cinderella and the glass slipper? These are classic examples of love and love lost.
             Love is many things, but it is not jealous or boastful. Love isn't arrogant or rude, and it doesn't insist on its own way. Let it be stated here that love is not a gourmet dish, a domesticated animal, or latest trend. It isn't irritable, resentful, and doesn't rejoice at wrong; but in the right. Furthermore, love is not another seasoning to bottle and stick on the dust-lined shelves of the spice rack.
             Instead, love bears all things, believes all things, and endures all things. Love is a great counterpart to late evening thunderstorms on cold December nights. It is unbearable wanting, insatiable longing, patience, emotion, ethics, faith, understanding, and joys. Love itself is a universal experience. Yet, every individual occurrence - while perhaps bound by a common thread - seems absolutely unique and defined by the very ones involved.
             Indeed, love is a wonderful thing that is so much more than the dictionary definition. Love is mind, body, and soul.
             ...