As a child I remember the first time I came across the Love Is . . . comic strip. My mother was showing them to me as she was inspired by them during her days of courtship with my father in the early 70s. I remember appreciating the simplicity and simple statement of what love was. I was intrigued and at the same time curious to know if indeed these statements held any truth.
One of the first phrases that comes to mind when I hear “Love Is . . .” is Ali MacGraw’s famous line from the movie Love Story - “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” The irony is New Zealand artist Kim Grove’s, the creator of the “Love Is . . .” comic strip (which began as a series of love notes to her future husband Roberto Casali), international appeal skyrocketed with the comic strip she published on February 9, 1972 which read “Love Is . . . being able to say you are sorry” . And I have to say I agree with Grove rather than MacGraw on this point. Although, MacGraw herself repeatedly states how bogus the line is. (For more history on the Love Is . . . comic strip, click here.)
With the Love Is . . . comic strip in mind, I’d like to share with you a few of my definitions of Love as we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day.
Love Is . . . being accepted for who you are.
Love Is . . . laughing with each other.
Love Is . . . kindness just because.
Love Is . . . wine and chocolates.
Love Is . . . being clear about who you are before entering into a relationship.
Love Is . . . found in true friendship and loving family.
Love Is . . . calling just because.
Love Is . . . wanting the best for those you love.
Love Is . . . taking a chance.
Love Is . . . allowing each other to grow.
Love Is . . . breakfast in bed.
Love Is . . . liking them as much as you love them.
Love Is . . . being each other’s rock.
Love Is . . . dreaming together.
Love Is . . . picking up their favorite movie/take out/coffee without having to ask.
Love Is . . . wanting to be your best self.
Love Is . . . experiencing something for the first time together.
Love Is . . . gentle.
Love Is . . . respectful.
Love Is . . . standing on your own two feet and not needing each other, but wanting each other.
Love is . . . paying it forward.
Love Is . . . paying attention.
Love Is . . . something that should be shown each day of the year.
I’d love to hear what Love Is . . . to you if you’d like to share. After all, it is Monday, and this sort of topic always makes the start of the week begin a bit brighter. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Images: (2)Source (3)Fashionising (4) Pink Lemonade Design (5) Oh Fashion Model (6) Oh Fashion Model
I remember those "Love is..." comic strip as well, they used to be in a Norwegian paper to, they're so sweet! Although Valentine's Day is a nice reminder, I think that love should be celebrated every day of the year!
ReplyDeleteI love the love is....and agree with each and every one! Wishing you everything that you hope Valentines day to be!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Love Is... comic strip too. Lovely post Shannon! Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteYou said it. You must be quite a special person yourself; stay that way !
ReplyDeleteOn my blog I posted photographs of kisses and hugs, but it isn't as inspiring as your beautiful and wonderful "Love is... "
Thank you !
Fidji from irresistibleparis.blogspot.com
Love is to do to others what you would like to be done to you. Love, is like a mirror.
ReplyDeleteOh I haven't seen those for years, what a fun blast from the past.
ReplyDeleteNo cards or flowers for us but I get breakfast in bed every morning and a foot rub every night, so I'm not complaining
I too love the read the Love is Comic Strip (another child of the 70s). I posted some drawings inspired by same idea of Love is...simple ordinary moments of the everyday. http://dctdesigns.com/2013/02/12/love-is/
ReplyDeleteNow after reading your post I came up with a few more Love is lines for each card.
I had Love is…growing old together & Love is…meeting for the first time but now I can add Love is…Breakfast in bed and gentle