Paw Print Assistant Editor: P. Kaibah Robinson
As February, the month of love, comes to an end, I’d like to reflect on what that can look like from another perspective. Love, to me, is about understanding the wants and needs of others and choosing to fulfill them. Relationships, whether friendships, partnerships, or marriage, are a constant work in progress. As we grow and change, so do our desires, and love is the willingness to adapt and continue providing for one another.
Many people define their love through love languages—the ways we naturally express and receive affection. If someone values quality time, they will prioritize spending time with loved ones. Others may prefer gift-giving, showing love through thoughtful presents rather than words or presence. However, love languages can sometimes create imbalances. If one person needs time and the other expresses love through gifts, they must compromise. True love is finding that balance and continuously working toward it as we evolve.
Coming from a Navajo background, my perspective on love is shaped by my culture. Until the 1990s, arranged marriages were common, built on the idea that love grows from mutual support rather than instant attraction. Unlike many societies, the Navajo people follow a matriarchal system, where men traditionally move to the woman's homestead, and everything they build belongs to her if the relationship ends. This belief stems from the idea that it is easier for a man to rebuild his life than for a woman. Even as arranged marriages fade, this principle remains: love is about providing and supporting each other, regardless of gender.
One of our traditional stories reflects the importance of mutual support in love. It tells of two rivers crossing—one representing men, the other women. When the women questioned the men’s contributions, the men left, taking their tools and food across the river. At first, the women thought they could survive without them, but soon they faced hunger and hardship. Seeing their struggle, the men returned, and from this experience, both sides gained a deeper respect for each other’s roles. While the tasks of survival have changed in today’s world, the essence of this story remains—love is built on mutual appreciation and acts of service.
In Navajo culture, love is often expressed through actions rather than words. Providing for one’s family, showing up when needed, and acts of service carry more weight than verbal affection. While “I love you” is not commonly said, we do have a word for it: Áyóó áníínishní. It reminds us that love is not just something you say—it is something you do, something you nurture, and something you choose to uphold every day.
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