column - senior edition (2006)

What Really Matters
By:  Kayla Kearns

I have been thinking about what I would say in my final article for a long time. The last thing I wanted to do was put out a "top ten things I learned at HHS" column. Instead, I focused on one thing I have discovered, not just during high school, but in my life so far. I chose to write on love. Since I am used to researching my topics, I did my homework.

According to Miriam Webster Online, the definition of love is "an unselfish, loyal, and benevolent concern for the good of another. Or an attraction based on sexual desire, affection and tenderness felt by lovers."

Based on my personal religious views, I also looked to the Bible for a more in depth definition. What does the Bible say about love? The Bible narrowed the definition to "agapao" and "phileo."

According to "God Questions," agapao is the "Christian love" and is the most common definition. It is a "deliberate, purposeful love rather than an emotional or impulsive love." Phileo is "to love in an impulsive and emotional way."

In my own love life, I kissed a lot of frogs and had my heart broken on many occasions. I fell on my face and made several key mistakes. When I had all but given up on relationships, I received a message from a very close friend of mine named Ryan Lockhart. He is the lead singer from One Letter From Home in Kentucky. In summary, he told me not to just seek abstinence in relationships, but seek purity in my life. Focus on God's love, and wait for the "right one" to come along by natural timing.

Being involved in several relationships has taught me that an agape love is the preferred relationship for my lifestyle. I have agape love for my friends, family, and one day, I will find "Mr. Right" and I will share my agape love with him as well. Until then, I have chosen to abstain from dating and focus on what really matters to me, God's love.