February is often thought of as “the month of love”. This idea comes to life when hormones start to go crazy in anticipation of asking that cute person out or giving a sweet treat or note on Valentine’s day. But what is love?

Love is a deep and encompassing concept that one may question whether it can really be grasped inside the walls of a high school. Here are some thoughts from staff and students at Arlington High School on love and what being in love feels like.

“There are stages in which love goes through and I’ve entered into the stage, that occurs way down the road, that is ‘love feels like home’.” Mrs. Palmiter

“[Being in love feels] natural. Like you can act like yourself no matter what.” Jeremy Bishop

“Love doesn’t exist. It’s only in the movies.” Erin Konecny

“[Being in love is] like a ton of bricks falling on you – but in a good way… it’s numbing.” Mr. Cunningham

“I’m currently in love with myself.” Callie Walter

“Well I have a weird version of love because he lives so far away. So it’s kind of just like I want to hold your hand and it’s like I don’t care if you see me wearing sweat pants and an unflattering shirt I maybe stole from my dad. And also like you’re going to throw up… but in a good way.” Leah Youngquist

“Do pets count? Because I tell my cat I love her all the time. It’s more like shallow pet love though.” Abigail Barnett

“So I have been married for 15 years and love is more than a feeling. Love is a choice you make everyday. It’s easy to come up with excuses not to love someone and it’s hard to make the choice to love someone. But in the end, it’s the easiest choice I have ever made.” Mr. Gudgeon

As one can see there are different variations of love and what being in love feels like. Love is arguably the one thing on this earth that can completely change people’s lives and issues for the better. It is what activates people to action. Therefore, from this day onward, share some life-changing love with family, friends, significant others, and even strangers.