Love = emotions?

As a woman, I tend to equate love with emotion.  It is a struggle because when the emotion is not present, I feel like I am unloving and as a wife and mom, this can be a problem.

In the beginning, my emotions for Dan were really intense and as time passed emotions faded.  I remember how intense I felt when we were dating and engaged.  The feelings of "love" were overwhelming.  Unfortunately for us, that intensity ended before the actually honeymoon was over.  Our first few years of marriage were bumpy.  It took me years to realize that love was so much more than emotion.

Motherhood has been similar.  When my boys were first born the emotions were so intense.  I remember longing for my first born to wake up from naps so I could hold him.  Even through the toddler and preschool years, I remember having intense emotion for my children.  However, much like marriage, the older my boys get I find that what I feel is changing.

I will admit, it is discouraging.  I know I love my children but I don't always feel the emotion of love.  This morning I was reading in I Corinthians 13.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

I was reminded that love is so much more than emotion.  I love Dan and the boys by putting them first (not self-seeking), forgiving them (keeps no record of wrongs), extending grace (patient and kind), keeping myself under control (not easily angered) and daily going to the feet on Jesus on their behalf (always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres.)  Despite my lack of feelings, I can love them deeply by my actions.

I would love to know if my experiences with emotion are similar to other moms.  Any thoughts?