Accidentally In Love

I was working on a Psychology survey when a song came on: Counting Crows "Accidentally in Love". I sang along under my breath (I love the song!) and it hit me. Okay, so they're 'accidentally' in love -- accidentally, as opposed to what? 'Purposely' in love? How many people just wake up one morning and say, I'm going to fall in love today, whether I like it or not?

The way I see it, love is not something that just happens. You can't control it, you can't force it, you can't help it. It's not rational; it makes no sense. I don't believe in love at first sight. We've all experienced attraction; the compulsion to look twice is part of human nature. Infatuation -- the whole "can't breathe, can't think, can't speak" feeling -- is common, as well. But love? Love takes time.

You have to know a person before you can love him or her. People don't love total strangers. When you say you "love" Brad Pitt, you are not saying you feel a deep emotional attachment to him; you just mean that you find him attractive and enjoy his movies. Loving someone is much more serious than simply wanting to see them. Love means sacrifice, being there when he or she needs you and geniunely wanting what is best for that person. No one can have these feelings for someone they don't know; if you do, I'm scared!

I know what you are thinking: what does an 18-year-old know about love?! I don't claim to be an authority on the subject. Lots of people probably will disagree with me. That's fine; that's their perogative. I only know what I have learned from experience -- both mine and those of my friends. I wish I had all of the answers. If you know anything I don't, let me know!