Love Means

Love means never having to say you're sorry. - Love Story

I saw this old quote on Facebook today. I've always disliked it. Why? According to this mentality, love means never having to apologize for hurting that significant other. Love means you never have to admit you were wrong. Love means you can protect your pride. It's extremely convenient. And it's a load of hogwash.

To quote another book:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Yeah, in light of that, real love would never have anything to apologize for. Love unadulterated sets a high standard. For those of us who don't love perfectly (every human being), any bit of real, genuine love existing in our souls will prompt us—when our pride doesn't get in the way—to say those all-important words "I'm sorry" for failing in that perfect measure.

So hopefully you can see why I dislike that quote. It feels like a cop out. I think true love means knowing when to say you're sorry...and saying it.