"I love you," she said. "What brought that on?" She smiled. "It's like a fever. It comes and goes. I think your smiles bring it on." "Then remind me to give you more of them." She rested her head against his chest and couldn't help but marvel over how changed he was. He soaked up every expression of love she gave him. She watched him as he listened to her laugh or watched her smile. It broke her heart a little to see how hungry he was for such simple things, so she did her best to give them to him in abundance. She'd been repaid a hundredfold just by seeing his own smile and hearing his laugh."
This tender passage from Lynn Kurland’s book "The More I See You" beautifully captures the transformative power of love through the subtle, everyday moments that bind two people. The metaphor of love as a 'fever' highlights the unpredictable yet intense nature of emotions—a feeling that ebbs and flows but is deeply influenced by the warmth and affection exchanged between the couple. The exchange reveals a deep intimacy and mutual care where the woman observes the man's sensitivity and hunger for simple yet profound expressions of love like smiles and laughter. It emphasizes that love isn't just grand declarations or dramatic gestures but is often found in the quiet appreciation of ordinary interactions. The way the woman is moved by his thirst for tenderness and how she responds generously underscores the reciprocity in their relationship. This resonates deeply as it reminds us that emotional vulnerability, especially the genuine reception of love, can lead to significant personal change and growth. The closing sentiment—that the smallest acts of love are repaid a hundredfold in shared happiness—celebrates the richness of human connection and the joy found in fostering each other's happiness. Overall, this quote invites us to cherish and nurture the subtle textures of love that often go unnoticed but are the very foundation of enduring relationships.
