First Memory of Love

This is one of the Blog Challenge April topics. It's a hard one... I almost didn't want to write about it, but then I decided to challenge myself.

What is love? (Skip this part if you don't like long posts)

The Oxford English definition of love is: 

A feeling or disposition of deep affection or fondness for someone, typically arising from a recognition of attractive qualities, from natural affinity, or from sympathy and manifesting itself in concern for the other's welfare and pleasure in his or her presence.

The Greeks (you know the "toga dudes") thought that love has 4 aspects. C.S Lewis agreed. This post is all about those 4 love types or aspects.

Remembering first glimpses of love 

Storge - Affection: (this aspect of love can be seen in families and friendships.) 

Me & big sis

I am a family girl. This means that one of the most important thing in my life is my family. A funny thing is, we all live in different  countries, but still we are a tight family. It has nothing to do with meeting and talking in person. Instead, there's a bond that lasts despite the distance.

My first memory of storge love... I showed my affection by running to my mom or dad and sitting on their laps. 

Philia - Friendship: (something we choose and can be seen in friendships)

Friendships have always been a challenge to me, because of my Third Culture Kids past. I have often left friends behind as I moved back and forth. 

But... my first memory of philia love is the friendship I had with my first best friend. We were 2 little ladies, a blonde and a brunette. We lived in Thailand and were inseparable. We played, shared and ... oh the shenanigans!

Eros - Romance: (emotional and sexual love)

I've experienced eros love with only one person: my husband. We met when I moved to Joensuu (our current hometown). 

We had dated couple months and we were watching a movie. We were on his couch and I was lying there with my head on his lap. I remember how a strong and overwhelming feeling washed over me. I was so happy and in love. That is my fist memory of romance.

Agape - unconditional love

God's love is agape love. Unconditional, powerful... perfect. 

I grew up in a Christian family and I've always believed in God. But I didn't quite understand his love (I don't think I ever fully will; it's so mind-blowing.) 

My first memory of agape love is when I was a little girl in Thailand. Thailand is a country where most people mix Buddhism and animism together. Things you hear and see (especially if you are a little child) can be scary. I remember, one night I was really scared because of my imagination and all the things I've heard while eavesdropping adults. I prayed, because I had learned that we can always pray and ask God to help us. God answered. It was like he was holding me in his arms and whispering: "I'm here. You're safe." 

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