Four Different Types of Love

[Butterscotch.]

It’s almost Valentine’s Day! The mass media has hyped it up to be all about romance and sexual relationships. That’s great for some people, but that’s not all love has to be! Love can come in many sizes, shapes, forms, and even non-human entities!

Platonic Love — When you say “he’s my homie” or “she’s my bestie” you’re pretty much emphasizing just how much you love your friend! This is platonic love, they might be like family to you — either by blood or chosen — and it’s fine to express this on Valentine’s Day! As a matter of fact, the show 30 Rock created the phenomenon that is “Galentine’s Day”

Familial Love — When someone says “I love you like a sister” or when they say “a cousin is your first best friend” that’s an expression of love for your family — again, either by blood or chosen. Young people today even say “fam” to refer to someone they feel such a strong bond with whether or not they’re related. Let that person know what they mean to you!

Pet Love — Nobody understands us better than our pets. Cats have very special ways of expressing to you “human, you are my best friend.” and that can be something as simple as placing a paw on your hand or head bumping you. Dogs will go practically to the ends of the Earth to protect their human. If you love your pet as much as they love you, let them know!

Community Love — Yes, this is a new one and one that is very important to me. The community where you live — where you dine, shop, and work — is vital to your well being as a citizen! What you give to your community will always come back to you. A little bit of generosity can go a really long way to not only help your reputation, but it boosts local morale.

Who and what do you love? Are there other contexts love can be used in?

[Ennui.]

I definitely feel pet love for my guinea pits, French Toast and Pancake!

[Dawn.]

Originally Posted by Butterscotch.

It’s almost Valentine’s Day! The mass media has hyped it up to be all about romance and sexual relationships. That’s great for some people, but that’s not all love has to be! Love can come in many sizes, shapes, forms, and even non-human entities!

Platonic Love — When you say “he’s my homie” or “she’s my bestie” you’re pretty much emphasizing just how much you love your friend! This is platonic love, they might be like family to you — either by blood or chosen — and it’s fine to express this on Valentine’s Day! As a matter of fact, the show 30 Rock created the phenomenon that is “Galentine’s Day”

Familial Love — When someone says “I love you like a sister” or when they say “a cousin is your first best friend” that’s an expression of love for your family — again, either by blood or chosen. Young people today even say “fam” to refer to someone they feel such a strong bond with whether or not they’re related. Let that person know what they mean to you!

Pet Love — Nobody understands us better than our pets. Cats have very special ways of expressing to you “human, you are my best friend.” and that can be something as simple as placing a paw on your hand or head bumping you. Dogs will go practically to the ends of the Earth to protect their human. If you love your pet as much as they love you, let them know!

Community Love — Yes, this is a new one and one that is very important to me. The community where you live — where you dine, shop, and work — is vital to your well being as a citizen! What you give to your community will always come back to you. A little bit of generosity can go a really long way to not only help your reputation, but it boosts local morale.

Who and what do you love? Are there other contexts love can be used in?

This was interesting to read! I definitely have Pet Love and Familial Love!

[NeuroBeautiful]

I have all four of these so strongly! I think that I have difficulty expressing community love because the way modern capitalist society is built, I often feel alienated and isolated and alone but I recently signed up to volunteer cleaning up a park in my city this Sunday and then again at a different park in a little less than 2 weeks. So I am trying to find ways to channel this huge amount of community love that I have through civic engagement in my own little way. I mean all my paid work experiences were services for the community...teaching, childcare, respite care for a child with a disability, painting a mural for the neighborhood, etc

Pet love is also tricky because I absolutely love love love my dear cat who sadly passed away about 3 and a half years ago. I miss him so much </3 I have not had a pet since but I hope to in the future. I have love for animals, plants and the natural environment including the inanimate within the natural world.

[Butterscotch.]

Violet, I miss my pets too. I grew up having cats and an assortment of indoor animals from hermit crabs to hamsters. My best friend has a senior cat who I absolutely adore with every ounce of my being. He is a crodgy old man, but I love him to pieces.

I love how everyone mentions that they love their pets, but not so much the three other things.