Don't you know that love isn't just going to bed? Love isn't an act, it's a whole life. It's staying with her now because she needs you; it's knowing you and she will still care about each other when sex and daydreams, fights and futures -- when all that's on the shelf and done with. Love -- why, I'll tell you what love is: it's you at seventy-five and her at seventy-one, each of you listening for the other's step in the next room, each afraid that a sudden silence, a sudden cry, could mean a lifetime's talk is over.

Summary

This quote emphasizes that love is not just about physical intimacy or brief moments of passion. Instead, it suggests that love is a long-lasting commitment to someone, through all the ups and downs of life. Love involves being there for each other in times of need and beyond, knowing that the bond and care between two individuals will persist, even when the superficial aspects of a relationship diminish. The quote paints a picture of love as a steadfast devotion, where the simple act of listening for each other's presence becomes a testament to the enduring strength of the connection.

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