--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How could they say that they truly loved…" description: "\"How could they say that they truly loved each other? They had simply grown up together, been children together, and the proximity of it, the closeness ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14d/david-guterson-8456_children_how-could-they-say-that-they-truly-loved_7344.png" --- # How could they say that they truly loved each other? They… ![“How could they say that they truly loved each other? They had simply grown up together, been children together, and the proximity of it, the closeness of it, had produced in them love s illusion. And yet--on the other hand--what was love if it wasn't this instinct she felt...” quote by David Guterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14d/david-guterson-8456_children_how-could-they-say-that-they-truly-loved_7344.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14d/david-guterson-8456_children_how-could-they-say-that-they-truly-loved_7344.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14d/david-guterson-8456_children_how-could-they-say-that-they-truly-loved_7344.png) > “How could they say that they truly loved each other? They had simply grown up together, been children together, and the proximity of it, the closeness of it, had produced in them love s illusion. And yet--on the other hand--what was love if it wasn't this instinct she felt...” [David Guterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-guterson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It questions whether love can be a product of shared history and proximity rather than a conscious, deliberate choice, suggesting that deep familiarity may masquerade as romantic love. **In simple terms:** Love may be an illusion formed by lifelong closeness. Key Takeaway Familiarity can be mistaken for love. Themes identity intimacy illusion choice instinct Mood nostalgic reflective questioning Type philosophical narrative contemplative When to use this quote - long-term friendships evolving into romance - siblings feeling romantic tension - partners reflecting on their shared past Key Concepts attachment memory social conditioning emotional perception Practical Applications - relationship counseling to differentiate affection types - creative writing exploring love origins Questions to Reflect On - How do we differentiate love from deep friendship? - What role does intentionality play in sustaining love? A Different Perspective Some argue that love is a conscious, intentional bond, not merely a byproduct of proximity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Closeness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/closeness/) [Closeness Produced](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/closeness-produced-326799/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) [Instinct Felt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct-felt-326800/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-illusion-309969/) [Love Wasn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-wasn/) [Loved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved/) [Proximity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proximity/) [Together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/together/) [Truly love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truly-love/) ## Related quotes > [“Proximity and closeness are not the same.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thi-bui/proximity-and-closeness-are-not-the-same/) [Thi Bui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thi-bui/) > [Sean settles swiftly behind me, and I'm startled by the sudden closeness of him, my back suddenly warm against his chest, the press of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/sean-settles-swiftly-behind-me-and-i-m-startled-by-the-sudden/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [Science boasts of the distance of its stars; of the terrific remoteness of the things of which it has to speak. 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