People say that in a lifetime, we experience three distinct kinds of love. Love arrives in many forms, but these three leave the deepest marks on the heart: the first love that awakens us, the greatest love that consumes us, and the true love that grounds us. Each comes into our lives with purpose&mdash;carving lessons, shaping who we are, and leaving behind stories that stay with us forever.
First love is often raw, innocent, and unforgettable. It may not be built to last&mdash;but that&rsquo;s not the point. It shows us what it means to feel deeply. And when it ends&mdash;as it often does&mdash;it leaves us a little bruised, but more alive than before.
Then comes the greatest love&mdash;passionate, intense, and sometimes overwhelming. It isn&rsquo;t always the healthiest kind. It&rsquo;s the love that makes us crave connection so strongly that we risk losing ourselves in the process. It may arrive at the wrong time or with the wrong person, but its impact is unmatched. And even if it doesn&rsquo;t last, it teaches us something we&rsquo;ll carry forever: love requires more than feeling&mdash;it needs timing, compatibility, and choice.
Finally, there is true love. Ito na &lsquo;yun. It may not feel as thrilling as the first, or as fiery as the greatest, but it brings something the others rarely do: peace. True love is built on trust, respect, and the daily decision to stay. It doesn&rsquo;t burn wildly, but it endures. And in its steady presence, we find the quiet kind of happiness we didn&rsquo;t know we needed.
Some are fortunate enough to find all three in one person. Others meet them across different seasons of life. Either way, each kind of love shapes us. And in the end, they all matter.