I remember reading in Steven Covey's book 'The 7 Habits...' that originally love was verb i.e. something you do. Apart from the emotion of love which we all have felt, it also means what you do for people. If I act self-sacrificially for my partner I'm loving her.
Ofcourse there are layers of meaning to this word. the bible has 2 words which translate as 'love' - one is 'agape'. This kind of love is purley unconditional. I would describe the love I have for my daughter as 'agape' love, what I do for her is also 'love'.
Good topic Hazel.