I Think I've Fallen in Love

-13th century poet Runi

I'll never leave you

God put us together, forever

My angel

You're my best friend

and that's to the end

I'll die for you.

-Bobby Valentino's My Angel (never leave you)

They say falling in love and eating large amounts of chocolate feels the same but I don't think so. I've tried it and the only thing I felt after eating so much Hershey's, was sick and I never wanted to touch another piece of chocolate again. Being in love however, feels like I can't get enough of him. I never get tired of hearing his voice, looking at his picture or thinking about him. I have a glow about me now that women can connect with and men are drawn to. But how do you know when it's the real deal and not just infatuation or a phrase? How can you tell the difference between love and a deep crush? Well this guide will help you sort it out and maybe by the end of this article, you will know if it's real or not.

You become a better person.

When you fall in love you feel love for, not only him/her, but for yourself and the world around you. You come to know and except yourself better and that radiates in how you respond to everyday situations. You'll find yourself more forgiving, patient and giving. You don't let the little stuff get to you because you see the bug picture and realize that pettiness doesn't matter. You are able to transcend old limitations and are better able to connect and empathize. This leaves you more compassionate, wise and creative. In plain terms, you want everyone to feel as good as you do. You see love as an elixir that can truly heal the world.

You want to give more than you take.

It is natural for us to want to take. We like when we receive gifts and phone calls. We like being shown affection by being kissed and held. When you are really in love, you find yourself wanting to give more than you receive. You think of the things that would make them happy and whether that's a stroke on the face or a bouquet of flowers, you make sure it happens. You don't expect or want anything back in turn except their love and that's enough. You find yourself delighting in showing your love, acceptance and appreciation for that person and when they are happy, you are happy.

The bad doesn't make a difference.

I knew I was in love when he shared something that he was ashamed of telling me. I thought it over and realized I loved him and wanted to be with him despite that. It was nothing that would put my life in jeopardy, like him having sex with men but it was important. My girlfriends thought I was a fool and I should leave him alone but I know what I feel inside. When you fall in love, you tend to go blind to any faults they have and romanticize their shortcomings. Nothing is wrong with that unless you take it to the extreme. He calls me classy and fancy and treats me as though I am too good for him and everyone else sees that except for me. I am so honored to be with him and am so proud to be with him, it shows in my walk and on my face. I hate the thought of anything happening to him and want to be right by his side, holding his hand when he goes through something rough. Short of me finding out he's a pedophile, I don't think there is too much that could make me fall out of love with him. We argue from time to time and he does the dumbest things but I forgive him and love him despite it all.

They are all you can think about.

Every love song I hear reminds me of him. I sit in church wishing he was next to me. At night I imagine him besides me when he's not there. I think about the things I can't wait to tell him and hope he's not working himself too hard. When you are in love, they take up your thoughts and it becomes a rare moment when you aren't thinking about them. You remember the last time you were together, the last time you talked to them on the phone and the next time you get to hold them again. Even if they are away for a day, that's way too long. You miss them when they're gone and can't get enough of them when they're near. I even take this picture of him with me everywhere I go and every once in awhile I'll take it out and look at it. He's in my dreams and one of the first things I think about upon waking up. I can't remember how I lived before he came into my life and that's because before him, I was merely surviving.

It's more than sex.

We have yet to make love and that is fine with me. It must be okay with him too because he doesn't pressure me and is honored I want to give him my virginity. I plan to lay down with this man very soon but even if sex was taken out of the equation, I'd still love and want to be with him. True love transcends sex and although you want to experience that pleasure with them, it doesn't change the way you feel about that person. I would marry him right now and wait to have sex with him for another year and still be hopelessly in love and content. Yes, he could be out there having meaningless sex and the thought of that hurts me tremendously but I trust and love him. Just ask yourself if sex wasn't available, would you still love him/her and you'll know if it's real.

You can see a future with them.

I can see myself with him years from now. I look at him and see the grouchy old man he'll be, sitting at my side. I see not only our kids but our grandkids and I smile at how awesome that is. I see the fighting and yelling. I see the arguments over money and the birth of our first child. I see him flipping out during his mid-life crisis and holding his hand when I blow out 30 candles. Being in love, truly, enables you to see a future with that person, a real future with ups and downs. You're able to see what your children will look like and how you both will look as little old people. I like to think that when you find that person, what you see is not what you want but an actual preview of what's to come. Just think, you don't experience this with just anybody you meet right? That''s how you can tell it's really love.