Look to the little ones for the real meaning of love.

Is "love you" becoming as common as "have a good one"?

Many of the hearts-and-flowers cards are dripping with mush and many are designated for a person, "the man I love", with a verse that declares boundless love and devotion.

Here are some quotations from children ages 4 to 8 who were asked "What does love mean?"

Out of the mouths of babes, and here is evidence:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis. That's love."

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."

"Love is when you go out to eat and give someone most of your french fries without making them give you any of theirs."

"Love is what makes you smile when you are tired."

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him."

"Love is what's in a room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handomer than Brad Pitt."

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."

"During my piano recital, I was on stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."

Six-year-old Nikki and 8-year-old Jessica are young sages on the subject of love. Nikki said, "You should start with a friend you hate." And from Jessica, "You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."

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