When I say I love you what do I mean?<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

For far too long I used the word to describe<o:p></o:p>

 a feeling I thought I had for someone, <o:p></o:p>

perhaps describing more my longing to<o:p></o:p>

 feel connected than the connection itself.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

And that is the core of my current understanding.<o:p></o:p>

 Love to me is the connection. And without <o:p></o:p>

two people holding their respective space to <o:p></o:p>

sustain the connection, there is no love. <o:p></o:p>

Love is how we communicate and express <o:p></o:p>

that mutual space we create together.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

By gesture, tone, word and deed <o:p></o:p>

we live out the partnership <o:p></o:p>

and honor with our fullest being <o:p></o:p>

the nebulous, but powerful bonds <o:p></o:p>

that a mutual loving interaction builds.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

I can care for you by myself. <o:p></o:p>

But I cannot love you without full, open, honest, <o:p></o:p>

naked, and engaged emotional vulnerability, <o:p></o:p>

mutually sustained, honored and expressed.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Where we completely and fully meet <o:p></o:p>

is where love resides <o:p></o:p>

and in no other place.

-Natman<o:p></o:p>