They spend time and talk with me willingly and eventually tell me everything about them.

I could go on all day listing multiple examples, the kind you here in love stories.
However, one that personally stands out among many is this.
My wife will always say, whenever we have brief falling outs, that she can’t stay angry with me for more than a few minutes, no matter what may have happened.
That is either intense & consuming love, or maybe I just have one of those faces :D

By their actions.
When they forgive you because they want to and don’t have to;)

The FIRST & most important thing in my mind is that they WILLINGLY give more than they take!!! They have NO secrets & they tell you with their heart!!! You don’t need to override that gut feeling that keeps telling you that you are wrong because you are NOT wrong!!!

Real love is when there is a mutual understanding that 2 people will do everything in their power to love, nurture and care for each other warts and all.

Trust. An unbreakable, undeniable, trust.

There are many different variables. But, trust, is the most sacred. It’s the foundation of ANY relationship.

Trust is earned, and kept, through honesty/integrity.

If you REALLY love someone, you’ll be honest, and maintain integrity, with them…

I’m a little green, but when they tell me?

@RedDeerGuy1 It’s different for a female. A male will tell a female that he loves her just so he can get some sex

You don’t, ever, really for sure. And even if they show signs of loving today or tomorrow, that is not a sign they will love you next month or next year.

Romantic love is like two ships traveling across the ocean. You may be side by side for a long period of time, but eventually, each ship goes to its own destination.

When it’s “true love”, you still want them to be happy, even IF it’s at a different port!!! For me, our ships BOTH changed course & kept heading for the same port!!!

They are a relative. Nothing more, nothing less. The true meaning of “love” is elusive, and for most, unknown.

I’ve had a couple of friends and only a few relatives who only told me that they loved me when they were wanting something from me. It didn’t take me long to see through their “fake love”

One of these may make one realized that someone loves you. The fun part is figuring out how the other person expresses love, and how you receive it.

“There are five love languages: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. Each one is important and expresses love in its own way.”

When you are very old, and spending your last days in a hospital, and your still spouse is by your bed refusing to leave. That is when you know for sure.

I don’t believe it’s possible to put it into words. The words “I love you” are thrown around readily enough, but the real deal in its outward expression can be more variable than the weather. This is so true that I have no business handing you my definition. It would be about as useful to you as my eyeglass prescription.

When he slobbers all over your face with his tongue.

Stan. You made think of the Extreme song “More than words.” A well written, and performed song.

I have no idea.

With Family, you can tell when relatives go out of their way to do something for you without expecting anything in return. So knowing that person helped you is more than enough for them.

With someone who admires you, sometimes it can be the littlest of things you say and or do that simply captures that persons heart, maybe even something sincere and genuine that separates you from what they are use too..

@Patty_Melt Love your comment!!! It touched me. But soo very true!!

They say they do, they pretend to, then they rip your heart out.

@Patty_Melt Or when you’re in the hospital and she won’t leave, even when give her your credit card to go to lunch, because she doesn’t trust you. Not that she fears you’ll put a move on another woman, but because she knows you’ll give your arm and two legs for a smoke and a cup of java. And you have no self dicipline. That’s when you have to wonder If she really DOES love you. Been there done that got the t shirt and still never got my coffee. So I pronounce anathema upon your comment. So there. Anyone got a smoke?