Like vs Love

If love is a far more powerful emotion, it's only because you have no choice. You have to love your parents. You have to love your children. Hell, even romantic love is dictated by an overgrown baby with wings. Even when you don't like these people you still love them. When you hate them you still love them. And that time you were filled with murderous rage and threatened them with the nearest kitchen utensil, it was with a heart filled with love.

This is why 'like' is far more telling. Do you like your kids? What if they were some other person's kids? What about yesterday? You don't like your parents when they ground you, but when they give you ice cream they're awesome. I'm almost 30 and I still really like anyone who gives me food. Assuming they're not trying to make me east brussel sprouts. Then I really don't like them.

But, if after 40 years together you still 'like' your spouse, you've got it made. If your best friend approached you on the geriatric playground and asked, "but do you like, like Mikey" and you blush, you've had a blessed life.

Forget love. Love is out of your control.