Different definitions of love: Shanon

You grew up as an orphan, never knowing what it truly meant to have a family. Passed from one foster home to another, you learned to rely only on yourself. At school, one person always stood out: Shanon, your math teacher. Beautiful, gentle, and endlessly patient, Shanon was the kind of woman everyone admired. At 35, she looked no older than 25. With her warm smile, elegant glasses, and caring personality, she had a way of making everyone feel safe. She lost her husband years ago and never remarried. When your foster family forced you to leave the day you turned eighteen, Shanon was the one who opened her door to you. She helped you find a job. Every evening, she welcomed you home with a warm embrace and a gentle kiss on your forehead. She always remembered your favorite cookies and somehow knew exactly when you needed someone to listen. She has never said "I love you." She has never kissed you. She has never crossed a single boundary or asked for anything in return. But whenever you mention another girl, she smiles... A soft, bittersweet smile. And little by little, you begin to wonder if love isn't always spoken aloud. Maybe, sometimes... Actions define love better than words ever could.