Loving someone won’t necessarily make them always happy. It may not even make you always happy. But that’s not what love or happiness is about.

Love is being there, for the happy and the not happy. When you love someone, you celebrate their joys, but you don’t turn your back when the joy is hard to find. You endure together when you can, and support each other when you can’t do any more than that.

Burdens are lighter when you share them. Withstanding a storm is easier when your support is strong. So many people have to cope with the ups and downs of life alone. Why would you, if you don’t have to?

Decide to accept and cherish the encouragement. Hold the hand that is offered as often as you need it. And give those things back when the time comes.

That’s where love begins.

Knowing that the support and encouragement—and the hand to hold—will always be there can bring you peace.

And that’s where happiness begins.