What Love Really Looks Like During Cancer

Real love during cancer is messy. Awkward. Inconsistent.

Sometimes it’s amazing.

Sometimes it misses the mark completely.

But when it’s real, it tries. And keeps trying.

Love Is Not What You See on Instagram

It’s not filtered hospital selfies and “my person” hashtags.

Love during cancer looks more like:

• Dropping off groceries with no expectation of a thank-you

• Sitting next to you while you rage-cry over test results

• Not needing you to be “positive”

• Texting, even when you haven’t replied in weeks

• Respecting your “no” without taking it personally

It’s imperfect. But it shows up.

Two Things That Make Love Work in the Real World

1. Lower the Bar for “Perfect”

People are going to get it wrong. They’re going to say the wrong thing, show up weird, or back off when it gets too real.

But some of them will come back.

Let love be clumsy, not polished.

2. Ask for What You Actually Need

This part sucks, but it’s true:

People want to help—but most have no clue how.

Don’t wait for them to guess. If you need space, say it. If you need a ride, say that too. Love gets stronger with clarity.

You don’t need perfect love.

You need honest, effort-filled, imperfect love that sticks around when things are hard.

Real love isn’t always loud.

But it’s there—quietly doing the dishes, driving you to appointments, and not judging you when you haven’t washed your hair in five days.

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