A Highest Association

I can't say I've ever been in love, but I can tell you I've experienced moments of pure love and happiness. Let me explain what I mean. Like that time my friend called me exhilarating, or when they said, "You're my closest friend" or "If you ever need someone to talk to, you can always call me." Or when your dearest friend, the one you can always depend on, becomes like a sister. When a boy tells you they’ve learned so much from you, or compliments the dress you’re wearing. When a girl you’ve just met says she loves talking to you. When a friend genuinely asks how you’re doing and takes their time to listen. When you and a friend spontaneously decide to lie on a trampoline and gaze at the stars. When you and your dad go for a drive and scream the lyrics to an Aerosmith song, or when you’re lying on your mom’s bed, pouring out your emotions, seeking her advice. Or when it’s 11 PM, and you're laughing uncontrollably with your siblings.

These are the moments when I feel in love—not with the people, but with life itself. Moments that may last just ten seconds, but stay with you forever in your heart. You could be talking to someone about the simplest things, and yet those things become extraordinary. And the feelings that come with those moments are powerful. Philosophers call this the "level of highest association." It’s a special kind of connection, and it’s a reminder of why God gives us one another.