When my children were born, the moment they were handed to me, I looked into their faces and felt this hot rush of love wash over me. It was this overwhelming bonding emotion that this tiny person was mine, and I would care for them always. No matter who they are, no matter what they do, I would die to protect them. That feeling has never lessened.

When I met a man that I grew to love, I was unsure if I would even see them again. Falling in love was a gradual wait and see emotion. You look at how they act, who they are, what they do. Love either grows or dies. Sadly, this feeling also never lessened.

With my family, it was a feeling of I am a part of this group. It’s a feeling of unconditionally belonging to a degree. If we cease to get along, I know we can not speak to each other ever again. So, that love is also conditional upon actions. Also sadly, my mother has disowned and ceased speaking to me on many occasions because she didn’t get her way. She started this once I turned 18. I’ll never do this to my kids.