To love is to care, show compassion, be empathetic. To be authentic is to be genuine, courageous, transparent. What happens when the two meet in a relationship? It leads to consistency and growth. When you know you have a safe place where you can show your true self, express your feelings and emotions, and be embraced with love, the relationship/friendship is solidified. So ask yourself are you leading with these two things and, if not, how can you start.