By Laura Erdall

Have you ever had a boyfriend or girlfriend look you in the eyes and say that dreaded sentence, “I love you but I’m not in love with you”? Now, I find that one person’s definition isn’t the same as another person’s definition; however, there are many forms of love. The love you have for your children is unconditional, the love you have for your friends means that you’ll always be there for each other, the love for your family is irreversible and the love for your partner is romantic, intimate and deep. According to D.L Carroll in her article, “I Love You, But I Am Not in Love with You,” the, I’m not “in love” with you statement is usually said because things like the passion and sexual vibe disappear in a relationship. Love is something that needs to be constantly developing, if the love seems to not to be growing and things in the relationship become repetitive, then that love can go from a romantic love to a platonic love.

If you really do feel like you love someone in a genuine way, you need to first define this feeling by determining the difference between love, infatuation, and lust. Also, you should make eye contact when telling somebody that you love them. Making eye contact shows sincerity and communicates trust and it’s amazing how gazing into someone’s eyes can really say “I love you” without any words. If you do love someone, express it in action as well as in words by hugging or kissing your partner after the “I love you” moment. And if you do love someone, just say it, don’t wait for your partner to say the three magical words, no games should be played in this situation.