What is love in a relationship for a woman

Picture this: You're in the honeymoon phase with your partner, and every time you look at them, you think, Wait, am I in love?!

Or this: You just made small talk with someone on the subway, and you’re convinced it’s love at first sight. Or maybe, you’ve had a crush on someone for years and the butterflies just won’t go away. How do you know if it’s a deep crush, infatuation, or if you’re truly falling in love?

Types of love

It can be difficult to tell, especially at the start of a new connection when feelings are heightened. But over time, a few key differences start to emerge, says Carla Marie Manly, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist, author of Date Smart, and host of the Imperfect Love podcast.

“In the crush stage of a relationship, romantic feelings are based on superficial qualities rather than personal interactions and a true ‘knowing’ of the other person,” says Manly.

Infatuation, she adds, is “a step beyond a crush” and is typically accompanied by strong sexual attraction.

“However, infatuatio

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how to know what love is