I love that feeling of being in love, the effect of having

"I love that feeling of being in love, the effect of having butterflies when you wake up in the morning. That is special." These words by Jennifer Aniston encapsulate the unique and electric sensation that comes with falling in love. The "butterflies" she speaks of are not just mere physical sensations; they represent the exhilaration, the joy, and the anticipation that love brings into our lives. This feeling, a rush of warmth and excitement, is what many seek in love — the magic that turns everyday moments into something extraordinary. To be in love is to feel as though the world itself is imbued with a sense of wonder, where the mundane is made special by the presence of another. Aniston's words remind us that there is an inherent beauty and joy in the early stages of love, a feeling that is often as fleeting as it is profound.

The ancients recognized the power of this love, though they often sought to understand it through the lens of philosophy and mythology. In the world of Greek mythology, Eros, the god of love, was often depicted as causing both profound pleasure and pain. His arrows would strike hearts, igniting the passions and longings of those he targeted. But this feeling, though beautiful and all-consuming, was not always permanent. The ancient Greeks understood that love, while enchanting and intoxicating, is also deeply complex and mysterious. It is a force that can elevate the soul, much like Aniston's description of those early moments of love, but can also cause heartache when it fades or changes form. Yet, even in its impermanence, the butterfly-like sensation of being in love was considered a divine gift, an experience that connected humans to something higher and beyond themselves.

The Romans too celebrated this kind of passionate love, recognizing the transformative power it had over the human spirit. The poet Ovid, in his Ars Amatoria, explored the joy and pain of love, describing it as a force that awakens the soul and reshapes one’s very existence. Ovid knew that the feeling of being in love could be a source of ecstasy, a joy that altered the fabric of life, filling the heart with butterflies and causing one to view the world through a lens of romantic optimism. Much like Aniston’s words, Ovid recognized the specialness of this state — how love can make the simplest moments feel profound and alive with possibility. For both the Greeks and Romans, love was more than just an emotion; it was a transformative experience, a magical elixir that stirred the soul and filled the heart with joy.

Consider the story of Abelard and Heloise, two of the most famous lovers in history. Their passionate and intellectual relationship was marked by moments of intense emotion, where the mere thought of one another could stir their hearts with excitement. In the early stages of their love, they shared a deep intellectual bond that blossomed into romantic devotion. Heloise often wrote of the butterflies she felt when she thought of Abelard, describing how he awakened in her a passion and excitement that made the world seem filled with beauty. But their love, though intense and special, was also marked by tragedy and loss. However, even in the face of heartache, the early feeling of love was something they cherished and carried with them, demonstrating how that initial sensation of love can remain significant, even when life changes course.

In our own lives, many of us can relate to the euphoric sensation of love, the butterflies that rise when we first meet someone who captivates us. It is a feeling that reminds us that love is not merely about deep affection or commitment, but about discovery, the joy of learning another person’s soul and becoming enraptured by their presence. This sensation, while often fleeting, is special because it brings us into a heightened awareness of life itself. Everything around us becomes imbued with significance, as if the world has suddenly opened up to us in full color. This is the magic of love — it takes us outside ourselves and makes us feel alive, even when the rest of the world may be dull.

Yet, as with all things, the initial butterfly effect of love is often transient. The early moments of love give way to deeper, more grounded connections, which are no less valuable but take on a different form. The lesson here, as Aniston so eloquently puts it, is that we must cherish the exhilaration of love, but also recognize that love has many layers. It is not just about the initial rush of emotions, but about how love matures and deepens over time. To truly enjoy love, we must not only savor the momentary joy of those butterflies but also learn to nurture love as it grows, becomes more complicated, and sometimes even quieter. In both the exhilaration and steadiness of love, there is beauty and meaning.

Therefore, my children, embrace the butterflies that come with falling in love, for they are a gift that reminds you of life’s magic and possibilities. But also know that love is not solely defined by the initial rush. Nurture love as it matures, recognizing that it will take on new forms, just as you will. Let the early excitement inspire you, but let it also serve as a foundation for a deeper connection — one that does not require constant fluttering, but is rooted in shared experiences, trust, and understanding. In this balance, you will find a love that is timeless and fulfilling, not just in its spark but in its sustaining power.