What does being in love mean?

Love is when the other persons needs take a higher priority than your own (as a hallmark generalization with numerous caveats and clarifications)

For me, being in love means to be involved with another person to the extent that you want whatever is best for that person, no matter what it means for you, and the other person feels the same way towards you.

I want my love to be happy and content and fulfilled; she wants the same for me. And we support each other in finding that.

@zenvelo. Really nice answer, thank you.

I agree with what @zenvelo says and also for me part of it is just being happier in that person’s presence. Even doing simple things like errands together is enjoyable and even when I am really down, seeing and talking to that person lifts my day.

An attraction based on sexual desire, one that facilitates procreation.
The Borg have referenced this condition in over 6,000 assimilated species.
Physiologically, it bears a striking similarity to disease. A series of biochemical responses that trigger an emotional cascade, impairing normal functioning.

@ragingloli If that were the only purpose why do post-menopausal men and women fall in love? Also, there was no real concept of love in Western society until about the 12th century.

@ragingloli I figured we could count on you to be the cold shower on all of our romantic ideals.:)

@janbb
Humans usually did not live that long back then, and “love” and sexual effectiveness may not be biochemically dependent on each other, as such hormonal excretions causing “love” can easily continue past the shut off date of the physical equipment.
Also, “love” is nothing more than romanticised sexual desire.

@ragingloli That makes no sense. People in love don’t always have sex or sexual desires. Asexual people can fall in love. What’s the explanation for that?

they are in denial.

@ragingloli Oh good grief!

I often wonder if your unrelenting negativity and pessimism is the result of being miserable and thinking your screwy philosophy on life applies to everyone or if it’s an intentional ploy to get a rise out of people. Either way, being a bummer all the time is irritating.

@livelaughlove21 Amen!

I don’t know if you can capture the feeling with words. They’re kind of inadequate to describe true love. Especially when the one you love returns it with dividends. Put your own spin on that. :)

The heart wants what it wants, there is no logic to these things, you meet someone & you fall in love & that’s that. Woody Allen.

There is nothing proper about love.

We had a resident who was in love with a married family man all her life. She had many pictures with him. Yet she was the sweetest respectable proper woman what really went on I don’t know.

Another resident moved into the home with his wife when she had Alzheimer’s. He took care of her to the extent he could meaning they were both capable of living in self care unit. He was by her side through it all.

I love a man who is now married. We both love each other very much. But we had problems and were going in different directions to make a good life for each other.

We said goodbye before things got nasty and now are friends. I love him enough not to mess up his marriage. And I have the capability to do that he loves me enough to respect me and endeavor never to hurt me.

We connect communicate there is stilll chemistry we fight against. We know each other even enough to know we don’t know everything about each other though the temptation to try is there..

@Unbroken Beautifully said.

I agree with @ragingloli.

“love” is a biochemical response to oxytocin. Oxytocin production can be stimulated by proximity to a perceived adequate mate, hearing the cry of a hungry infant, stimulation of the breasts and erogenous zones, and consuming chocolate.

The body’s response to oxytocin includes a willingness to put the good of the beloved at importance, to the exclusion of the person’s own needs.

It still feels good.

Thanks @Adirondackwannabe. I should state that it is my personal perception if what love is. Since it is chemical and personality based everyone has their unique perception of it.

Like asking a person if they see they same red you see.