Love is an emotion – an unexplained attraction- an undefined force that is not just a Human experience. Many poems, songs, stories, cinema, and philosophical treatises have been written and crafted on the subject. Yet, defining love remains a complex and elusive endeavour. And the complexities multiply when it is the first love- the second time.
At its core of our understanding, love is an emotion that elicits a range of sensations, from euphoria and passion to vulnerability and longing. It’s the exhilarating feeling at the sight of a beloved, the comforting warmth of companionship during times of adversity, and the bittersweet ache of separation.
Though love is not just a part of romantic relationships and extends to familial bonds, friendships, compassion and empathy toward strangers or other living or non-living entities, It is a universal language of emotion that is omnipresent and connects us all, transcending barriers of culture, nationality, and belief. Love defies categorisation; it transcends language, age, region, religion, and other boundaries. I am just talking of love as in love – the emotion between two people of different genders.
Pic : Pexels Andre Furtado-1417255
THE CHEMISTRY OF EMOTION CALLED LOVE.
We say- love originates from the heart- in fact, deep within the heart, and in reality, it is a biochemical reaction in the brain. From a scientific point of view, it is a complex interplay of neurotransmitters, hormones, and physiological responses in the brain and body- and misjudgement is acceptable. No doubt, at times, infatuation is taken as love, and genuine love is sometimes seen as mere infatuation.
When in love- the brain releases a series of chemicals, including dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, creating the feeling of pleasure, bonding, and emotional attachment. Dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter associated with reward and motivation, floods our brain with sensations of pleasure and desire. Oxytocin, the “bonding hormone,” enhances feelings of trust, intimacy, and connection between individuals. Serotonin, linked to mood regulation, helps stabilise our emotions and improve our well-being. This is partially what love is.
LOVE BEYOND CHEMISTRY.
While this chemistry explains physiological mechanisms, they do no justice to the complexity of emotion as we understand and experience it. That kuch-kuch-waali feeling and willingness to do anything to be with the partner- or finding happiness in other person’s happiness. Love encompasses a range of psychological, emotional, and spiritual dimensions that defy explanations; hence, it is better experienced than understood.
LOVE – IMPACT in LIFE.
As an emotion, experience and a feeling- Love has a massive permanency of after-impact that reverberates throughout our lives. It sometimes shapes our perceptions and influences our attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours. Love sometimes transforms our lives with meaning, purpose, and significance. It can catalyse personal growth and self-discovery, challenging us to confront our fears, insecurities, and limitations. Whether the highs of a new or first romance or a long-term partnership’s passionate devotion, love enriches our lives and expands our capacity for empathy, compassion, and understanding.
FIRST LOVE.
Oh, the first love is something different; it is innocence, passion, and discovery. It transcends cultures, ages, and backgrounds. It is an impression and imprint that leaves a permanent mark on the hearts of those who experience it. And for a few lucky ones, the first love is their last love. However, most first love stories remain incomplete. People fall in love repeatedly, and then when they find someone, they always have a feeling of compromise. But what are the chances of rediscovering ‘First Love’ or feeling the same highs and innocence again?
First love is a gateway to understanding the emotion of love in their rawest form. First love is full of youthfulness, as it typically happens during the formative adolescence or early adulthood. It happens at a time when the individual is finding his or her bearings within the complexities of identity and relationships, making the experience of first love more surreal and different.
Beyond mostly starting as a thrill of infatuation, first love represents the first strong connection with another person not part of the family or maybe friends. It is built on trust, vulnerability, and shared experiences. Whether culminates in a lifelong partnership or fades into a cherished memory, first love leaves an indelible imprint on one’s psyche, shaping future perceptions of love and intimacy. The probability of rekindling the flame and feeling varies from person to person. As individuals evolve, so do their romantic preferences and priorities. Sometimes, people are drawn back to their first love later in life, guided by nostalgia and unfinished business. Others may move on to new relationships, embracing the lessons learned from their initial foray into love.
RECONNECTING WITH FIRST LOVE.
Everyone wishes to live with their first love, but it does not happen. As much as one would want, the likelihood of reconnecting with first love is very low, as it is more of a function of timing, compatibility, and circumstances. Even now, when social media and online networking have made it easier for people to trace their past connections and potentially reignite old flames- they are still only part of the discussion in friends and alumni groups. Any interaction is mostly just a fleeting moment of nostalgia. But can that be better exploited, managed and used? A famous case of first love second time is Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck.
LOVE IN BRAND AND MARKETING
Love has occupied a central role in Indian culture and social structure. It is in stories, history, mythology, poems, stories, and films. And the brands, having recognised the value of resonating with love, have layered brand stories with love into marketing strategies; whether it’s the joy of togetherness during festivals, the warmth of romantic relationships, or the enduring bond between couples, brands have skilfully tapped into the emotional undercurrents that define Indian society.
Clichéd’s expression of love finds centre stage in jewellery, tea, travel, chocolates, and other product communication. By aligning brand messages with themes of love and belonging, brands create a sense of emotional connection – and a deeper connection with the target audience.
Social media influencers and digital content creators have provided new avenues to engage consumers on love and relationships. Through sponsored content, product placements, and strategic partnerships, brands integrate themselves into consumers’ lives, positioning their products as catalysts (and, at times, a must) for these moments of love.
However, while leveraging love in marketing to evoke powerful emotions and drive consumer engagement, brands need to remember to remain authentic. This results in a lack of trust and loyalty among consumers, and the feeling of love remains just a story from campaign to campaign. And many times, it is just a Valentine’s Day affair. In such a situation, expecting to exploit the feeling, search, and interaction with the first love at a later date is out of the question. It needs a rare balance of dignity and accepting boundaries, which may be tough to show or unacceptable. Even in films, they have explored the chasing of first love but rarely reunite with the first love late in life.
LOVE AGES WELL WITH TIME.
Couples with a long tenure of togetherness have enhanced connection and understanding of the richness of the emotion we call love. They imbibe it with a sense of maturity, understanding, and appreciation. Couples, having weathered storms together, often share a stronger bond forged through decades of shared experiences, trials, and success and failures. Their love has a different level of enduring power of commitment, loyalty, companionship, dedication, and rich, youthful playfulness. They prove that age is no barrier to experiencing deep and meaningful love. ( I love this ad – Hera kya Janne)
SOCIETY DISAPPROVES OF LOVE AT A SENIOR AGE.
The percentage of the well-to-do population beyond 55 increases; it is time for the brands to explore love at a senior age. However, age-related stereotypes against love persist in society, perpetuating harmful narratives that marginalise senior adults and undermine their feelings. Ageism remains pervasive and erodes the fabric of social cohesion and inclusivity. Love is not untouched by this discrimination- though we are slowly seeing a change. We need a society that understands and respects the inherent worth and dignity of individuals of all ages- and their right to find love.
AGE AND LOVE.
There are countless tales of late-life romance and companionship, reiterating that love has no expiry date. Whether it is about finding love later in life after losing a spouse or rekindling a long-dormant flame, individuals of all ages can experience profound connections that enrich their lives in unexpected ways. And no one forgets first love.
In fact, most of the time, people search for an image of their first love in all their future love connections. And sometimes, through a quirk of coincidences, people are known to have found their first love a second time. Sometimes, it is luck, and sometimes, it is purely a misfortune.
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