when love fades

Love often fades when the initial intense emotions and infatuation start to subside. This typically happens because the intense feelings of being "in love"—characterized by excitement and passion—are generally temporary and not meant to last indefinitely. True love, however, goes beyond fleeting feelings and involves a deeper commitment, will, and choice to prioritize the good of the other person even when emotions fluctuate or lessen. C.S. Lewis explains that "being in love" is a feeling that usually does not last in its full intensity or sometimes at all. What remains after those feelings fade is a quieter, more deliberate love, maintained by commitment, habit, and sometimes grace. This deeper love is what sustains long-term relationships and marriage. The fading of passionate love does not mean the end of love altogether but signals the beginning of a more mature phase of love that requires patience and effort. In summary, love fades when passion and infatuation wear off, but authentic love can endure and even grow stronger when it is built on acts of will rather than just feelings. This mature love is quieter but more enduring, requiring faith, commitment, and conscious choice to nurture it.