So true! I love my dog and she's always thrilled to see me!

Most of our major functions, like "love", are probably adaptive, but a few thousand years ago somebody figured out that we could go dancing on the spandrels; that there is potential functionality in the spaces between adaptations. We have the ability to use our adaptations in ways they were not evolved to be used. Then, known "spandrel-dances" became aggregated and codified into practices that proved to benefit individuals and societies. Those practices were exalted for their apparent supernatural capacities (natural = adaptation, supernatural = spandrel?) and evolved into religions. Then religious organizations accumulated power, which corrupted them, etc., etc. But one of those spandrel-dances was unconditional love. Before the corruption set in, unconditional love was rightly raised to sacred status. It is not instinctive. It is learned. It is possible. And it carries potential benefit for the practitioner, as well as the practitioner's community. But it is not "natural". It requires training. Parental love is natural.

Hello there. I think that a modicum of transactionality is necessary to be able to exist and help others. Everything we do is physically limited by the laws of nature and psychologically governed by our ability to make decisions within the limits of those laws of nature. It’s perfectly fine that everyone has a way out or the power to say “thats’s it.” That’s what makes what people do for us worthy of our gratitude, and what in turn makes people grateful to us. And gratitude is a lovely thing to see.

Love always has conditions if it doesn't then doesn't that make it dogmatic?

I have experienced Unconditional Love from both sides; giving and receiving. It is the most incredible feeling.

I believe so although a couple who are truly bonded can get through almost anything.

I Agree completely.... Parental love is unconditional if the person does not jave psychological problems and is abusive.... not all people gave that nuture gene that you need to be a good parent.

Hmm. I'm hoping the car trunk episode here is metaphorical... in any case, best wishes.