"In the context of lifelong partnership, love is not an emotion.  Love is a course, an utterly steadfast, stable path that deviates not in the face of hardship or challenge.  It is an undeniably fixed and invariable promise that does not waver, even in the face of death.  While we look for a mate who shares our hobbies, is sexually attractive, makes us laugh, and helps us to feel good, these things are not the substance of love.  All of our criteria for finding a mate - the person has to look this way, have that kind of job, dress like this, be hip, have this much money, etc., are all things that will disappear with time.  None of them will last.  All that will last is the love that was given and the love received.  True love must transcend our limited views of love, for true love stands in its own category.  As such, it is not dependent upon the endless ebb and flow of our emotions and on the ever-changing agendas of our current likes and dislikes."
 
Katherine Woodward Thomas