May 21, 2010

"Easy Eternal Love?"


A student asked me today,
"What is the word for 'eternal love' in English?"
{Japanese: eien no ai 永遠の愛}

"It's eternal love," I said,
but he pushed on.

"How do you declare your eternal love?"

"Uh... 'I'll love you forever'...?" I replied.
And then I was lost in contemplative thought.

In Japanese,
to pledge your eternal love,
you simply say, "eternal love".

Bryn had a similar idea, actually,
before he flew to London.
And together,
we invented our own simple word
that we use sometimes, to mean,
"I'll love you forever".

So, a question:
Is there an easier way to say,
"I'll love you forever"
in English?

Or, do you have your own little word?

{Book via Papertissue}

8 comments:

  1. Sometimes couples develop a special look or touch that conveys that same message over the years. Love your wise grandma!

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  2. Oooo, I love this post. :D I don't think there's any easier way to say "I love you" than to just say it! That, coupled with "the look" should get the message across. Christopher and I always say, "Don't forget!" as I way to say it without saying it. :) Other than that, we just say it. I want to know what your word is. :)

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  3. Now you have me thinking. How do we declare our undying love for another? What do we say in English to promise eternal love to the one we love more then life itself?

    I can't help but wonder if there is some such word or short phrase that once was used to properly convey such emotions. I also can't help but wonder if such a word or phrase got lost as such feelings gave way as lust and temporary satisfaction became more and more acceptable.

    Then again I can't help but think that maybe such a word or phrase never existed since English is not a language that conveys emotion and feeling through its words. We have words that have sentiments attached to them, but the words themselves are quite inefficient.

    *Sigh* What can I say? Now you have me thinking and wanting to find a word or declaration that means eternal love, something more then those mere words.

    (wow, I have blabbered on and on...)

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  4. Wow. That's adorable.
    Ryan and I say "I wuv you" to each other, but I don't think that counts. Maybe we'll come up with a secret handshake or something.

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  5. When we're holding hands, sometimes I squeeze Rex's hand three times, and vise versa, to stand for the three words: "I love you."

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  6. Love all your ideas. :) Thank you, guys.

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  7. Here's how someone says eternal love to me:

    "I've run you a hot bubble bath and here are your white chocolate cookies."

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  8. We like to say "infinity", and we draw the symbol for infinity on misted windows, in the sand, draw it on each others palms. Because our love will infinitely exist and last.

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