A group of professional¹ people posed² this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds: “What does love mean?” The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think.

“When my grandmother got arthritis³, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.” — Rebecca, age 8

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. “You know that your name is safe in their mouth.” — Billy, age 4

“Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.” — Chris, age 6

“Love is when someone hurts you. And you get so mad but you don’t yell⁴ at them because you know it would hurt their feelings.” — Samantha, age 6

“Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” — Terri, age 4

“Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip⁵ before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.” — Danny, age 7

“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” — Bobby, age 5

“Love is hugging. Love is kissing. Love is saying no.” — Patty, age 8

“When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you’re scared they won’t love you anymore. But then you get surprised because not only do they still love you, they love you even more.” — Matthew, age 7

“There are two kinds of love. Our love. God’s love. But God makes both kinds of them.” — Jenny, age 4

“Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.” — Noelle, age 7

“Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.” — Tommy, age 6

“During my piano recital⁶, I was on a stage and scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.” — Cindy, age 8

“My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.” — Clare, age 5

“Love is when mommy sees daddy smelly⁷ and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.” — Chris, age 8

“Love is when your puppy⁸ licks⁹ your face even after you left him alone all day.” — Mary Ann, age 4

“I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.” — Lauren, age 4

“When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.” — Karen, age 7

“You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.” — Jessica, age 8