Remember “Love is …,” those sweet comics that were created in the 1960s by Kim Casali? For decades, they were a steady reminder that true love is not all fireworks and extravaganza.

True love is conveyed and received through a million little things. True love is being supportive, helpful, constant. It’s putting someone else’s needs before your own. It’s being considerate, respectful and, sometimes, completely silent when “I told you so” is screaming to get out.

Another Valentine’s Day is upon us and while it can be fun to prove our love in a flashy way, those who’ve known real love know it’s the unflashy things that make a relationship strong.

A smile, a hug, an encouraging word on a stressful day, love may be a many-splendored thing but it’s often something that goes uncelebrated and even unrecognized by the retail world.

As nice as roses and chocolates are, ask anyone who’s ever been in love what they cherish most about their significant other and chances are it won’t be something for sale in the novelty aisle.

It might be something on this list. Have a look. And then tell me what’s missing.

Love is …

Not saying anything when he comes down the stairs wearing the same sweats he wore yesterday and the day before that.

Saying something funny when she forgets your anniversary.

Getting vaccinated because his health is more fragile.

Gassing up her car because she has enough errands to run.

Running silently through a million mean retorts before simply putting the cap back on the toothpaste.

Making chicken pot pie only once a year because it’s not his favorite.

Eating chicken pot pie once a year with gusto because she made it.

Letting her drive the newer car even though she has fewer miles to go.

Rubbing her feet after they spent the day pretending to be outdoorsy.

Running to the all-night pharmacy after he ate “something I shouldn’t have.”

Not blinking an eye when she sends him to Target in search of cardamom, marjoram and cover stick.

Not chuckling when she spies him googling cardamom, marjoram and cover stick.

Listening to her playlist on the entire five-hour drive to Cleveland because “it makes her happy.”

Purposely adding ‘60s protest songs to her playlist because “it makes him jam” during long car rides.

Taking shifts when the baby has a cold.

Taking shifts when the toddler wants to play “keepy uppy” again and again.

Taking turns talking sense into the defiant teenager.

Co-writing the graduation toast, the Father of the Bride speech and the congratulatory first grandchild card about how proud you both are.

Complimenting his surprise dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches and potato chips.

Complimenting her haircut even if it doesn’t look any different.

Dropping her at the supermarket door because it’s raining.

Making his favorite coffee because it’s snowing.

Making his favorite coffee because it’s Tuesday.

Not noticing that he/she forgot to shave his face/her legs. For days.

Cheering because his labs came back good.

Cheering because her cholesterol dropped 10 points.

Pretending to pay attention when she recounts an episode of “The Great British Baking Show.”

Pretending to care when he announces his favorite team is in the playoffs.

Cleaning his side of the bathroom.

Getting her car washed.

Washing the dishes because she cooked.

Letting her sleep in while he rolls out the cans for the garbage man.

Sitting up all night with the sick dog so he can get some sleep.

Getting a bonus at work and letting him/her decide how to spend it.

Watching “Die Hard” (again!) and feigning suspense.

Digging all the holes while she arranges where to plant the flowers.

Putting away the tools he used to dig all the holes for the flowers.

Knowing every Feb. 14 that you don’t have to buy flowers or chocolates or champagne.

But doing it anyway.

donnavickroy4@gmail.com

Donna Vickroy is an award-winning reporter, editor and columnist who worked for the Daily Southtown for 38 years.