How do you define love?

Merriam-Webster's definition of love is a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties, attraction based on sexual desire and affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests. If any one asked me how I would define love I don't think I would have a deep or meaningful answer. I might say no matter how much some one hurts and seems to think that no one is their for them and you still try to be their for them even if you're being pushed away, that's something like love to me. I guess I really don't have the strongest and most clear definition of love, some could say. A couple of minutes ago I read a post my creative writing teacher had posted that had young children between the ages of 3-9 explain what they thought love was. Many of these children had things to say regarding their parents and people who are involved in their every day life. One little girl, Nikka who was only 6 years old, had this to say; "If you want to learn to love better , you should start with a friend who you hate." If a 6 year old can say something this deep shouldn't we be able to define love without using words like sex, money and whatever else it is that teenagers seem to think is so popular now a days? Only time will tell when all your "fancy cars", money and media aren't around. Will you still define YOUR love as the new designer hand bag that you "fell in love with" or being the only person their for your best friend? That's really all I have to say for now but here are a couple quotes from some of the children that were asked to define their meaning of love; let's see if this can get a response from you.


'When someone loves you , the way they say your name is different. 
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.' Billy - age 4 


'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.' Terri - age 4 


'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents 
and listen.' Bobby - age 7 


'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.' Mary Ann - age 4


When you love somebody , your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image) Karen - age 7 


'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it , you should say it a lot. People forget.' Jessica - age 8