Most of us have heard that there's two kinds of love: family and friend kind of love and romantic love. Although I've heard many people say it, it doesn't really satisfy me intellectually. From a Christian standpoint, God is love (I'm assuming we agree on this, otherwise this part is up for discussion). But if there are two types of love, which is He? The Bible uses both examples of family love (God the Father) and romantic love (church being His bride) to describe God's love. So, perhaps there are not multiple types of love. Maybe there is only one. Bringing us to the main question, what is love?
Againg, most of us have heard that love is not a feeling. If love were a feeling it would probably pass and come back time after time like most feelings do. I think love is a choice to further the ultimate happiness of another person (also, this part is up for discussion). For the sake of explaining my thoughts, I'll continue this rant with my explanation of what love is.
Now, if there is only one type of love why are our relationships so different with someone people even though we claim to love them? My theory, if love is a choice to further the ultimate happiness of another, then maybe the actions made as a result of this choice are different according to the object you have chosen to love.
For example, a young man might go on a date with his girlfriend. When she is scared of the movie they saw or frustrated with issues in her life, the guy might hold her and try to comfort her. Then the guy gets home. His father is frustrated over bills and afraid ends might not meet. Does the young man hold his father and try to comfort him? Let's hope that the guy offers to get a job and help earn some money in the household instead.
Anyway, that's my view. Feel free to discuss and disagree. I thought this would be cool to discuss.