It is perhaps an overgeneralization to perpetuate the adage that “love conquers all”. That concept is quite bewitching, to think that an emotion could withstand and overcome distance, hardship, resistance, foul play, and even death. Maybe those who say such things do not really believe it, knowing that even something as powerful as love does not always win. Still, it is a wonderful, intangible thing that we all seek and wish for in our lives, even if it just might be nearly impossible to clearly define. Then again, we do not have to define it to feel it, to recognize its power.

“My love has made me selfish. I cannot exist without you. I am forgetful of everything but seeing you…” - John Keats. Words like that will either make your heart go aflutter from joy or from fear that you are being stalked. Love is an enigma that is possibly the most talked about and least understood topic of all time. But one thing is certain – there is nothing like it.

Search the Internet and you will discover a world of opportunities to learn about surefire methods to win the one you want for a little fun or for marriage. There are classes that teach you how to dance for a partner or cook your way into his or her heart. According to some television commercials, if you do not match on a set number of different points, the relationship may be doomed. Self-proclaimed fortunetellers and psychics are asked to tap into their powers to reveal the name of a future love. Closer to home, advice runs rampant during get-togethers where the conversations naturally steer to love and relationships. Some say you have to be “out there” to find love; others suggest that when you least expect it, love will find you. From a scientific standpoint, we hear talks of hormones such as Testosterone and Vasopressin or neurotransmitters including Seratonin and Dopamine, supposedly explaining the various phases of love (lust, attraction, and attachment). If one is not careful, trying to figure it all out can become more complicated than the love itself.

But for some, the revelation of this love thing just comes out of nowhere. Toby Yacoob, an auditor from South Ozone Park says that Valentine’s Day and things of that sort were not very important to him until 2005 when he found himself in love as February 14 approached. Then all his notions of romance changed. “It wasn’t until then that Valentine’s Day really meant something to me. It was special…I remember it rained. We went to a show and dinner…It was a great night.”

Through the ages, love has manifested itself in many incredible ways, though sometimes there has also been the taint of tragedy. Napoleon risked the lives of dozens of couriers who were ordered to travel back and forth across battlefields to deliver words of love to Josephine. Tristan and Isolde drank a potion, fell in love, and died in each other’s arms. The Indian Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife who died during childbirth. Cleopatra chose death from the bite of an asp after Marc Antony took his life believing that his true love was already dead.

On the cheerier side, there are the legendary, fairy-tale romances including Grace Kelly who bid adieu to Hollywood for Prince Ranier and the land of Monaco, as well as Lisa Halaby, who was the center of attention as the only woman at the exchange of her wedding vows with King Hussein of Jordan. The idea of opposites attracting has floated around on the love circuits for centuries, yet there has to be some commonalities for an attraction to linger and develop into something more. Examples include Republican Mary Matalin, former advisor to George Bush and James Carville, former Democratic advisor to Bill Clinton along with network journalist Connie Chung and pop-culture talk show host Maury Povich. On the surface, there seems to be some major differences, but underneath these couples have something stronger than anyone can identify.

Love can also even seemingly work miracles. It was the love of the effusive, romantic Robert Browning that amazingly gave the infirm, introverted Elizabeth Barrett the will to leave her home and tyrannical father after years of being near death. Browning did not offer any medicinal cures or potions; his healing began with simple words on a page professing his admiration for Barrett’s poetry. Not only did Barrett walk away from her sickly life, but after marrying Browning, she moved to Italy and had a son. “I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach…” - Barrett Browning.

Unlike much in this world, love is one thing that has something for everyone. It is an entity - incredible, intriguing, sometimes infuriating and impossible, but always unforgettable. Poems, movies, books, letters, and songs pay tribute to this notion, constantly telling stories that we can all identify with because of a broken heart, a new love, or a long-term passion. Love touches us and it lingers, even if the relationship does not. Though Mr. Yacoob has parted ways with his former girlfriend, he still holds fast to his new views on love and romance. “Even though we are not together, I now like the idea of that day [Valentine’s] as a special day set aside for love.”

There could be lots of truth in what the “experts” opine, but the fact that love is so mysterious in its true origins and its ability to encompass us keeps it vibrantly alive and uppermost in our desires. To come up with one clear definition would be impossible as love and our experiences with it are nearly as individualized as our fingerprints. A common name. A million ways to describe it. Whatever it is, we are sure that love exists and just as certain that we want as much of it as we can get.