Funny thing. At work once I wrote "I love Ryan" on something. A co-worker said "How do you know that you love him? How do you know you're not just infatuated?" I said "I know I love him. I love him like I love no other. It was love at first sight and I will love him for the rest of my life." Well, all that I was saying was very true. Too bad another co-worker cut me off and told her "Ryan is her baby nephew."
However, although there is nothing like a love for a child, that's not what we're talking about. I'd say there is a difference between liking someone, loving someone and being IN love with someone. See, I've loved every guy I ever dated. But I loved them no more than I would a good guy friend. That's what the Greek Bible called philios... if I'm not mistaken. But I think I am. Does anyone remember what the Greek word is for brotherly love? But the romantic love is eros, which I have only felt for one guy. I made the transition from philos for him to eros about 3 years after I started liking him. The best way that I can define that transition felt like is this: he lived really far away and whenever I had to leave him, it was something that was just so... I don't know, it just kind of left me in a bad mood. But, I remember the first time I drove away from his town when I was in love with him. I mean, it was really really hard and I probably cried a lot. But ultimately I was really happy. Deliriously happy. Driving away from him was very painful, but I was so in love with him and he made me so happy, and I just couldn't help but be happy. Like, I felt like it was the beginning of something very wonderful, so that's why I was happy.
Anyway, i have to go.