What Love Feels Like

At this very moment

I struggled to decide what I wanted to write about for this month’s article. Coming into February, I felt a pull to align with the theme of love. I danced with a few ideas but none of them felt unique to where I am in this exact moment, in February of 2026.

I find myself writing this exactly one year after a season of deep confusion and frustration. I was on a leave of absence from my job, and it felt like my life was on pause until I could figure some things out. Now, a year later, my days are filled with pure joy and gratitude. I often anchor myself to how I felt just a year ago to remind myself of God’s blessings.

So I thought about that, gave this article space, and ultimately landed on this question:

What does love actually feel like to me right now?

When I reflected on it, I could think of many answers. But a few stood out, truly resonant with this current season of my life.

Love Feels Like Identity

As my husband and I have begun revisiting conversations about family planning, I’ve felt a deep desire to understand how my parents, and even my grandparents, experienced their transition into parenthood.

I recently visited my parents’ home, surprising them on their return from a two-month long vacation. We found ourselves nestled inside, avoiding the mounds of snow that surrounded us for half of my trip. That quiet, intimate time created space for such rich dialogue about how they became parents at just 18 years old, the struggles they faced, and what stuck with them as they navigated that very transformative season of their lives.

There’s a deep sense of fulfillment that builds in me the more I learn about my mom and dad. I feel overwhelmingly grateful to have these conversations with living, healthy parents. Parents who have remained together. Parents who speak freely, without fear and ego, but with honesty and pride.

Right now, love feels like knowing my roots.

Love Feels Like Confidence

This time last year, I struggled with believing I was capable: capable of creating, capable of connecting with people in the ways I desired, capable of sustaining a 9-to-5 in tech when I felt little desire to show up.

As someone who identified as confident most of her life, it felt foreign to lack it in so many areas. I wasn’t even confident that things would work out the way I hoped they would.

Now, I feel a new level of honor and reverence for myself, and what I can do. Even my language has shifted. There’s less questioning in what I do and more movement from idea to execution. There’s a huge sense of relief and joy in knowing every part of me is enough. And that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty room for growth in so many areas, that just means that I’m not growing from a place of lack, but a place of love.

Right now, love feels like self-trust.

Love Feels Like Fruit

I’ve always been fascinated by themes that sustain humanity. I’ve absorbed content like Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones on Netflix, trying to understand what truly leads to a fulfilling and long-lasting life.

One theme that stood out to me is our innate satisfaction in seeing the fruit of our labor. In modern society, that can feel like a lost art. We’re far removed from farming, tending sheep, or physically harvesting what we’ve planted. But the principle remains: when we can see the work of our hands, we are happier.

The last few months, I focused on getting things done. Taking action. Getting on the board. Completing tasks.

There is something deeply rich about doing exactly what you said you would do.

It feels like a love letter to myself. And a display of love to those who believe in me and support me.

Right now, love feels like evidence.

Love Feels Like a Hug

What I really wanted to say here is simple: love quite literally feels like love.

It feels like an embrace of all parts of you. It feels shared: between me and my husband, me and my friends, me and my family.

In so many parts of my day I feel like my spirit is being squeezed.

When I laugh over memes with my husband.

When I can dream for more with my friends.

When I hear about my dad’s day.

Love feels like being held. And holding others in return.

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It’s been such a joy to reflect on, and discover, how seamlessly these love forms weave into one another.

Identity breeds confidence.
Confidence produces fruit.
And through it all, is a warm embrace.

All of it is connected. And love is the thread holding it all together.

Right now, love feels so big, and I think that’s the point.

Thank you so much for reading.

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