"You're too young to know what love is." -every adult ever.

I don't know about you, but I've know what love is since before I was born.

I was inside my mom's belly while she sang me songs and my dad whispered to me how much I was adored. My parent's held me in their arms for the first time and rejoiced from the pure love that poured from their hearts at the sight of their tiny baby girl. I went to my first day of preschool and they cried like babies when I ran into the classroom. I got a kiss a goodbye and a 'be safe' whenever I walked out the door. They yelled at me when I came home late. When I was sad, we cried together. When I was successful, we celebrated. I left for college and was hugged hard enough to feel all of the love from the past 18 years in one touch. I was loved so passionately since the day I was born.

I was also shown the way to love and love hard.My parents have exemplified love for me and for each other as long as I can remember.

I watched them dance around the kitchen as I peeked around the corner quietly. They held hands while they drove and sang songs I didn't know the words too. They made sandwiches in the kitchen for brats like me and rolled their eyes, smiling at each other. I never saw them fight without a kiss at the end. My dad never left for work without kissing my mom goodbye first. I smiled as they joked and laugh, and I could see their eyes light up with love for each other. My dad continuously showed my mother respect, love and fun and, in turn, she showed him patience, kindness, and order. Their kind of love is the my definition of love, and the only love I want for myself.

So when someone tells me I'm too young to know what love is, there's a reason I roll my eyes. Sure, I may not marry this person, they may not be my best friend, and they may not even be very nice, but I do love them because of how I was taught to love. I know what love is. My parents taught me how to love and be loved, without fear or reservations. I am to love everyone, whether or not they deserve it. I am to love with my entire heart no matter the consequences. But most importantly, I am to only accept the kind of love I deserve back. I am not going to settle for a love that doesn't match the type of love I have always been given by my parents. I will forever be grateful for the love I have been shown my entire life.

I am not too young to know what love is - my parents taught me well.