Well, the simplest answer would be that you just do. But that is also too vague to make any sense. Here are a few things to consider when deciding if what you are feeling is love.

• You are genuinely happy for your partner when your partner is happy.
• You are proud of your partner and not afraid to tell people who you are dating.
• You don’t mind sharing your thoughts and feelings with your partner in a positive, healthy way.
• You feel comfortable with your partner to be who you are.
• You show affection for your partner.
• You consider your partner’s needs the same way you consider your needs.
• You are willing to compromise with your partner so that you both can be happy.
• You keep your partner’s private information private.
• You feel romantically, emotionally and sexually attracted to him/her.
• You care about them and they care about you.
• You can’t imagine not having him/her in your life.
• You and your partner have let your feelings for each other grow and did not rush into them.
• You can say to yourself “I love __” and not have hesitations.

Mostly when you really love someone, you really respect him/her and wish positive, healthy things for him/her.

One other thing about love you may want to know; is it is not always eternal. As we change and grow, our partner does too. During this process people fall in and out of love. Sometimes it is brief and love returns and sometimes it is forever that love is lost. Just because you loved one person doesn’t mean that you don’t have the capacity to love a completely different person.

Love happens when you open up your heart and mind. Enjoy it when it comes and remember how great it was if it leaves.