To me, romantic love is a deep sense of care and companionship for someone. You care deeply about their feelings, safety, happiness, and life. You also deeply long to be with them. That’s not always possibly, and when you’re not with them for extended periods, you miss them.

Romantic love is something that takes time to grow, usually out of infatuation. In other words, you can be head over heels for someone but not really be romantically in love with them.

Lastly, it’s something you want to continue. If you find yourself not wanting a relationship to continue, chances are it’s not love. (It could be, and you could just know that you’re not right for them.)

That’s my take, anyway.