While watching a movie the other night, the main character was giving a toast at an engagement party. She mentioned a quote that I had never heard before, but will surely never forget.

“We like because. We love despite.”

Six words. They made me think, contemplate, and evaluate. Like and love are words that are used daily in our society. I like mornings. I love coffee. I like French fries. I love e my husband. Arguably, both words are often used a bit flippantly, without concern of their definitions. “To like” is to “take pleasure in, find agreeable”. This quote makes perfect sense in claiming that we like because – something is funny, a class is easy, something is convenient, a teacher is lenient, a food is tasty, or a kitten is adorable. We tend to like what is comfortable, familiar, easy to understand, and sustainable. We often like what is popular, available, and promoted. Again – these are generalities. I have plenty of unpopular opinions – examples – I don’t like campfires, bubble tea or convertibles. When you like similar things as others, there is an instant camaraderie. Friendships are often created by finding out commonalities including music, movies, or sports teams a person may like.

We love for different reasons. By definition, love is ” a strong feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection”. Love often happens when we wish it wouldn’t. Love grows despite distance, inconvenience, personality differences, and most logic. I love cheese despite what it does to my stomach. I love my husband despite his snoring that keeps me up all night. I love my cat despite his inability to vomit anywhere but the carpet. I love my job despite the low pay. I love the area I live despite the high taxes. I love winter despite being terrified to drive in the snow. I continue to love something because it brings value to my life, makes me happy – despite the negative tag alongs. Although sometimes, love fades to like – the negatives begin to outweigh the positives. The resulting upset stomach doesn’t trump my desire for more cheese. Basically, we all get to determine the level of fondness for anything or anyone. But, if we love something that we also like, the odds are in our favor. That’s the coolest thing about a person marrying their best friend, for example. Despite the few things that he/she does that drive a spouse up the wall, they also have a lot of positive attributes and characteristics of their special someone that can be pulled out of the back pocket when necessary. Those will save you. In fact, it might be helpful to write up a list of those likes so you can glance at it when needed 🙂

“We like because. We love despite.”

Seriously, I can’t stop thinking about these six words. Bring this quote up in a group and watch the conversation take off. Who doesn’t love a great conversation?!