Love Goddess,

In many threads on almost all the discussion boards, it seems evident that the term love is set aside exclusively for mutually romantic SO relationships or familial relationships.  Is not love a special human feeling manifested by deep caring, affection and concern with someone who has made a special connection with you?  Don't we love our close friends because they hold a special place in our hearts?  When a pet dies and our hearts break then isn't that because we loved them?  It seems to me that in the pure sense of this incredibly special human emotion, that there can be love found within a provider/client relationship.  It may not be the same as the SO feeling of love or the parent/child/sibling feeling of love but it can certainly be the love set aside for close friends.  I know that for me there are a couple of provider friends that I quite simply think the world of.  I care deeply for their happiness, their heatlh, their well-being, their families, etc.  I have no qualms with saying that I love them.  So in this context why is it that we tend to view love within the hobbiest world as taboo?  I'd apprecaite your view...

I believe you bring up an issue concerning intimacy and trust in America. Much of our culture originated from a number of puritanical cults. (ummm notice the similarity of those two words, cult and culture?)

Today's reluctance to express love in situations like provider relatationships, is derivative of those early repressive sects.  (Sects, sects, sects!  That's all I ever think about!)

So in effect the taboo you mention comes from those religious cults expelled from Europe 400 years ago. These taboos are changing and relaxing of cource today in America.

I try to compartmentalize my "loves."

Eros----Sexual love
Fraternal----Friendship or family love
Agape---Spiritual love.

This way I can express my love to a provider or anyone else and not feel the guilt and/or shame handed down by the puritans.

I have to admit, I recently found someone who I have experienced the first two loves with, and now have found myself experiencing agape with her. And after a tough look at myself, found it difficult to express that it to her.

So, that is my dry clinical response. I am sure Love Goddess with have a much more human response.

Thanks for reading!