This year, my family is going to enjoy a chocolate extravaganza for Valentine's Day. Magic brownie-bites, molten lava cakes, brownie-filled M&Ms (doesn't get better than that!), and even some Parisian cocoa, are all on the menu for our family celebration. My children, who are in college, jumped at the news.
That's because we all LOVE chocolate.
But, what exactly does LOVE even mean? None of us want to marry chocolate. Nor, are we eagerly anticipating the day our chocolate will smile and say, "Mama" for the first time. And, as far as I know, none of us are hanging out at cafes, gossiping with our BFF chocolate bars. No, the English word "love" is just too vague. The Greek language, on the other hand, offers a bit more precision.
Valentine's Day is often focused on what the Greeks termed eros, a romantic, passionate love—often described in their myths as a form of madness! But, eros is not the only "love." Philia is used to describe friendship and goodwill. It's based on Aristotle's idea of goodness—all that is rational and virtuous.
Before we were married, my husband and I were the best of friends. My husband lived with his pastor and his family while we were getting to know each other. Even before either of us realized what was happening between us, one of the pastor's kids would tease my husband whenever I called: "Daaaavid, it's Abbbby, your F-R-I-E-N-D!!" Even a child could see we had progressed from philia to eros.
Another love is called storge, and it refers to the love between parents and children. My family is very tight-knit and every Valentine's Day since our kids were little, I have given them little treats and cards to celebrate our family's love.
Agape, or universal love, is the love of altruism and is often described as godly love. Altruism is the love that puts others before ourselves. And, it's the only reliable foundation for any kind of love. Whether it's for a romantic partner, a friend, or a family member, the flame of selfish love consumes only itself, and so it is quickly extinguished.
Perhaps this is something to keep in mind during these stressful times. The love that lasts is our love for others. So, go ahead, enjoy some chocolate—but remember, the taste will last a whole lot longer if you share!
Happy "Agape" Valentine's Day!