How do you know if you are truly falling in love?

You just know…and maybe the fact that you have to ask that question means that maybe you’re not?

Classic. Most of what we call “truly in love” is pure hormonal lust. My wife and I tell each other we love each other all the time. Sometimes we also tell each other we like each other. This is the more important statement. It’s liking the other person that enables you to have a lasting relationship.

I thought I was in love for sure three times before.They all turned out to be asses.I realy like my boy friend that I’m with now,and I hope it turns into love. I also agree with qussnarp,‘Its liking the other person that enables you to have a lasting relationship’.

something is just… different.

You think of things to help them, ease them, thrill them
You are willing to put aside time for them you’d normally give to other things
You will say yes to doing things for them even if you’re tired or not feeling so well if you think they really need that attention
You feel you want to take care of yourself in better ways in order to be the best you can for them
You start to think, “I believe in life with you”

You have a calming, “centered” feeling when you are together.

i don’t think love can be defined.

Well people go on about a hormonal imbalance associated with infatuation. For me, it’s the most amazing part of falling in love. It’s quite simple, if you desire that person physically AND they give you great mental stimulation then you are in love. One really can’t work without the other. I personally don’t believe that it takes a long time to fall in love, with the right person you will know right away. Life is short!

If the feeling lasts even after you’ve had a few fights and had to deal with each other in difficult circumstances. If you still enjoy doing things together, and your partner is the first person you think of in the morning and the last one you think of at night.

You don’t really know for sure if it’s love until you’re a year or so into it. Before that, you can be pretty sure, but when it has legs, it’s love.

@daloon: I like what you say about thinking of them first thing in the morning and last thing at night, I agree. I’ll also add there comes an attitude where you care less about who is right about something and care more about what is going to work best for the two of you, that’s where love makes it not a big deal to compromise, makes you open to change and to give more.

@hungryhungryhortence I very much agree. When you can negotiate like that, you know the other person is thinking about you—if not first, at least in the same breath. Don’t I know how to kill a romantic mood? ;-)

But love is very pragmatic, too. It’s not all romance.

@daloon: love is not all romance, it’s a conscious choice of action, words and paying of attention. I’m learning later than a lot of people but it keeps bringing me rewards for my efforts, for my admitting when I act out of fear, pride or jealousy.

You act like a buffoon for/towards him or her.

@Sampson: awwww. Forgiveable at the onset when adrenaline is free flowing but it becomes less so, quickly. Best to back up your love with some concrete affirmations.

When you’re in love then suddenly out of the woodwork come other people who want to be in like and in love with you. Love is an extreme endurance test of sanity and reason.