Before status, before identity, before the life carefully built and impeccably maintained — there was the mother.

Not merely the woman herself, but the atmosphere of her.

The first experience of closeness.

The first understanding of affection, restraint, approval, silence, emotional responsibility, softness, power and absence.

Whatever relationship existed there often becomes the unseen standard through which love is recognised and repeated throughout life.

Most never question this.

They simply call it attraction.

Compatibility.