What's the difference between loving and being "in love"?

1. 89

   Karen Hellierposted 12 years ago

   What's the difference between loving and being "in love"?
   
   What is the difference between loving a person of the opposite sex, and being "in love" with someone?

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2. 37

   ChristinSposted 12 years ago

   Love has all different flavors.  I love my sons, my male friends, and my husband all in different ways.  Love can be more familial (I love my closest friends as though they are siblings or family) and love can be more deep.  My partner is the one person in the world I feel I can share anything with and who I trust and respect.  He is my best friend, my partner in everything, and so much more.  There is a depth of love and sense of commitment with a spouse or significant other that isn't there with anyone else - that's being "in love" , but there's plenty of love to go around

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3. 77

   Charluposted 12 years ago

   For me (as in others may differ)  love is something I feel for my pets, for children, best friends and family, etc  I care what happens to them and would go above and beyond to see no harm came to them, nurse them back to health, give them the shirt of my back, etc.
   
   Being in love is all of the above and then a step further.  You have that lust, passion and ability to look into their very soul.  It is as if you are intertwined in a sense knowing what they're thinking or how they will answer a question.  There is a trust, respect, and connection that is like no other and the moments when you look in each others eyes and you know with all your heart and soul, your in love. A gift that is to spectacular to foresee.

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4. 61

   shadowspyro99posted 12 years ago

   My definition is that loving is where you act without trying to love, but still showing it between two eyes, in fact thanks to love it is pure and can always be hidden from the loving, who knows maybe someday the two words won't even matter and it will all be one thing. In fact we may never really know for a fact that it is one thing.

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5. 73

   moonfairyposted 12 years ago

   I love my son, my grandson, my mom, my sister, my brother, my dog. But I'm "in love" with my husband. I think that Christin S explains it best..
   great question!!

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6. 77

   teaches12345posted 12 years ago

   This is a statement that you do not want to hear from your lover, "I love you but I'm not in love with you."  Meaning, I do love things about you but I do not really love you as a person. I can love a cat, love chocolate, love going to the beach, but it doesn't really mean I can't live without them. Being in love with someone means that you would take on the whole world for them.

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7. 60

   rave1432posted 12 years ago

   Love is with family and friends. Being in love with someone is that feeling you get when that special someone gives you butterflies, makes you lightheaded, and the person you just can't live without. I love friends who are female, but I am not in love with them. I can hang out with them and it is fine, nothing but friendship there. I love them, but not in a relationship way. I will defend them no matter what. my woman, I will do anything for, but I can kiss her. I can give her gifts whenever.

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