How do I know if I love him?

[Liciaa]

Hi I'm Liciaa I'm 16 & I have a boyfriend that's 19. We have been dating for a while now. Me and Him Are really close. I find myself telling him stuff I don't even tell my Best friend. He makes me so happy just a simple smile from him makes my day. I get butterflies in my tummy. My heart pounds super fast when were together . When we kiss its like everything stops and it's just me and him on this earth. He got me a promise ring not that long ago. His parents said I'm all he talks about . So does is friends. ..
I graduate this year.
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@LiciaaaMarieee

[Cindy]

You wouldn't be asking this question if you knew you loved him, so I guess you don't love this guy.

[KB]

What you are experiencing is a form of love.You would not be asking if ytou knew this already

[Been There]

Love is NOT:
- telling stuff that you don't tell others
- feeling really close
- being happy because of him
- butterflies
- heart pounding
- everything stops when you kiss.

Sweetheart, that is infatuation. A brain chemistry that never lasts more than 2 years. It literally makes you "high" and the chemistry of it creates your physical symptoms (butterflies, heart pounding, etc).

And it has nothing to do with love. Love is totally different .. and it takes about 2 years of being with the person pretty-much every day before it even starts to grow.

For that matter, he doesn't love you. He is infatuated.

Better google "infatuation" and "mature companionate love" and "the marriage map". You might be 16 but you don't have a clue what love is, or isn't. The odds at at least 50% or greater that 2 years from now you won't be able to stand him.