Yesterday, I mentioned an article that highlighted a picture of a couple walking on the beach. The article went viral because one individual did not believe that the wife, who described herself as curvy, could marry a man with a six pack. It is sad that our society has allowed our culture to develop a hierarchy that some would use to determine who should marry whom based solely on appearance.
In Greek, the language of the new testament, there are 6 words to describe love. Philia describes friendship love. Eros is erotic love. Agape is unconditional love. Storge is family love. Pragma long-term marital love. Finally, philautia is appropriate self-love.
Notice that the marital relationship is the only type of human relationship that appropriately has all six types. Hopefully, your spouse is your best friend (philia), and you have joined each other’s families as you create your own family (storge). You share unconditional love (agape) and erotic love (eros.) You have a long-term commitment to each other (Pragma), and you give each other permission to express your own needs in a self-loving way (Philautia).
Find ways to love your spouse with all six types of love. That is so much deeper than appearance.
This is Rev. David Morrow. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and that is your Fruitful Vine Focus.