What does love mean to you?

Andie Olsen, Staff Writer and Editor

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, many single people might be saying they want to experience and find someone to love. But what is love, and is it important? Six anonymous high schoolers answered these questions, but do you agree? And if so, what do you agree with? 

What does love mean to high schoolers? 

Every answer was different; For a high school with such a diverse population, there was a surprising amount of overlap. For example, half of the interviewees said love had to be mutual. One even went as far as to say it was a “mutual transaction." For those who think love is mutual, what about unrequited love? What if you love someone but they do not reciprocate your feelings? Is that even love? Half of the interviewees said love only existed in a plan of mutual agreement. Finally, to those who believe love does not need to be mutual, then does that hurt? As a result, can love be painful? The first interviewee went as far as to compare people who do not receive love to orphans, taking the stance that their lives would be pretty sad. Although it is debated if orphans' lives are loveless and sad, that sentiment holds when interviewees are challenged to evaluate the importance of love. 

Another overlap was how three out of six participants were not sure what love meant. Those three had to slow down and think about it. After a moment of silence, only one of those three could create a definition. The interesting thing is every single person interviewed said love mattered, but how can something you can't define contain so much significance? 

Is love important? 

100% of the interviewees unanimously agreed that love was important, but only half of the people interviewees explained why. Of the received answers, the overall consensus came down to one thing. Everyone needs someone to be there for them. Now, that begs the question, how do you get or receive love? How do you get someone to be there for you? 

What you should take away

For the people who cannot explain what love means to them, or why it matters, why do you want it? Can you have something you cannot define? Before you get into a relationship, these may be good questions to ask yourself to develop healthy expectations and learn what you are willing to sacrifice for love or a lover.