When love is real, you're acutely aware of the fact that you'd stay with this person through bad times as well as good times. You have no doubt that you'll be together for an infinite amount of time. When they're sick, you want to be right next to them, waiting on them hand and foot. When you're sick, they're the first person you want to call. You want to make them smile, whatever it takes. You're okay with looking like a moron in front of them because you know it won't change the way they feel about you, and you know nothing they do or say could change the way you feel about them. You want to be with them, regardless of their obnoxious habits and stupid jokes - you can overlook the bad things because the good things just outweigh them. There's nothing about them you'd change. You love that person for who they really are - ALL of who they are. They're your best friend.
It's not necessarily thinking of that person constantly, not eating, not sleeping, etc - that's infatuation. Lust is a physical desire. Lust is a part of real love, but it doesn't overwhelm the emotion.
I don't want to sound like an expert on the emotion - this is just what I feel, and I'm more than certain that love is the correct term for it. Love is the feeling that drives people to spend their lives together, get married, and have families. It's not a fleeting thing.
You can feel very strongly about someone, and if love is the word that comes to mind, then that's what you're feeling. If you're wrong, you're wrong. No one can tell you exactly how you're going to feel when you're in love. It's a pretty individualized thing.
If you have strong feelings, be happy. Enjoy them. =)
-Siren

thank you sooo much, this really helped

I'm a laid-back 26 year old with a Psychology BA, starting my MA program, and working my way into the field as quickly as I can. It took me an extra Bachelor's degree (in vocal performance and creative writing) to figure it out, but I was put on this Earth to help, to heal, and to love.

I have made the decision to dedicate my life and career to helping others. I am here to do just that.

I've been a member since 2004, and since I signed up, I've gone through quite a lot and learned quite a lot from it. I'm here to give guidance where I had none; no one should have to go through the difficulties I went through alone.

Feel free to visit my website/blog, if you want to read my experience with domestic violence and my thoughts on it.

***While I do tend to answer mental health and other health-related or medicine-related questions, I am by NO MEANS a licensed physician or practitioner of any sort. Any and all advice I give for these questions is from my own experience or studies.***

If you need to get a hold of me quickly, my screen name on AIM is SirenCytherea. Just let me know you found me here.

I'm a strong believer in the idea that there are no stupid questions except the ones left unasked, so, please, keep an open mind, heart, and mouth.

Siren

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