Love is letting your child have dinosaur nuggets and a cake pop for breakfast. But, love is also cooking a hearty & healthy meal to promote your child's growth and foster positive eating habits. Love is kissing your spouse when they wake up in the morning.

But, love is also giving your spouse space before 9 am because you understand their need for coffee intake and silence.

Love is over packing your child's lunchbox with their favorite foods and a mommy love note.

But, love is also sending them to school with a donut and hash browns for lunch because you were so busy hosting a 6 am dance party that you forgot to pack their lunch and Dunkin' Donuts was all that was open at 7:30 am.

Love is texting your spouse sweet nothings while they are at work.

But, love is also not bombarding your significant other with communication while they are busy trying to support the family monetarily.

Love is telling your child(ren) that it is okay to cry.

But, love is also telling your child(ren) to stop crying and to “be tough.”

Love is telling your spouse that you love them, every night before bed.

But, love is also showing your spouse that you love them, rather than merely telling them.

Love is truly being present for your child.

But, love is also being distracted because you are working hard to create the life and future you want for them.

Love takes effort and communication.

But, love also requires acceptance, compromise, and sometimes, even silence.

You see, love is just me, as mother and wife, doing what I know and believe to be best for my children and my marriage every day.

But, love is also you doing what you know and believe to be best for your children and your marriage each day.

I am getting it right, and you are getting right.

Anyone that gives even the tiniest piece of their heart and thoughts to the others that they care about, in any way, shape, or form that works for them — that's love.

This and that, it's all love.

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A version of this originally appeared on EverydayFamily.

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