Is there a bandwidth on love?

Since relocating to the sticks (no joke...there are many trees here), I have had the good fortune of becoming reacquainted with long-lost friends and some family members who also live in said sticks. We spent some time getting caught up, eating good food and being nostalgic. At the end of almost every visit, I was told by someone, "I love you." Or, "te quiero."

Which made me happy because I don't always think I am the most lovable thing (I see you vehemently shaking your head in disagreement. I love you.) But being all analytical and also having more time now to think real thoughts beyond press releases and company org charts, I pondered the notion of love. At one time I may have loved these friends who I was lucky to find again. And my extended family, too. But is it really love or just some amped up version of like, since I haven't seen most of them in over a decade?

What happens to love once you have it for someone but they move away, or you lose touch, or life just happens? Does it get stored away? Do we have the capacity to dredge it back out when we see that person again? Is it like riding a bicycle or roller skating, wherein if you haven't done it for a long time it just comes back naturally?

I see you shaking your head, thinking damn it, woman who lives in the sticks, can't you just accept a loving gesture and not dissect it?

Come now. How long have you been reading this blog? I know you expect nothing less of me.

So this notion of love past and resurrected will occupy my thoughts this week.

Gotta love it.