I used to believe love meant constantly being there, constantly checking in, and never letting silence exist between two people. But as I grew older, I realized real love isn't always loud or immediate. Sometimes the purest form of love is giving someone the space they need without making them feel guilty for it. I used to think distance meant disconnection, but now l understand that people often fight battles they don't know how to explain. Not every heavy heart can put its pain into words. Loving someone means understanding that healing cannot be rushed. It means staying patient, staying gentle, and staying beside them without forcing them to move faster than they're ready to. Real love isn't about dragging someone toward your pace-it's about caring enough to walk with them, even when life asks you to slow down together.