You ever separate "loving someone" from "being in love with someone"?

[CatWoman]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm........................

[TopesJunkie]

1. No.

...

[CatWoman]

5. It's done all the time, hon

I read this story today, that just broke my heart -- http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/1003/16stabbing.html

He loved her -- but he wasn't "in love" with her.

If he were in love with her, he wouldn't have killed her.

[FlashHarry]

2. Yes.

At the moment, actually.

[LuLu550]

3. I deeply love

my children, but I am not "in love with" them. I think "in love with" should imply an adult-adult relationship (or teen-teen), whereas "loving" can include love of children, parents, siblings, etc.
That's just my take on it.

[mbartko]

16. I agree

"In love with" indicates romance. Technically, "in love WITH" kind of implies requited love.

[underpants]

4. It involves the upper back of the leg and the upper breast area...

near the chin but below the collarbone. Oh and the lower middle back on the side and the index finger.

Sleep well.

[CatWoman]

6. I'm going to start calling you "Randy"

:hi:

:loveya:

[SOteric]

9. 'Randy,'

That's his maiden-name. ;-)

[underpants]

11. Rhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaandeeeeeee!

:bounce:

[SOteric]

7. Yes,

I love my brothers, I love my mentor at school, I love one of the priests at church, I love several of my long-time girlfriends and I love a host of people whose spirits inspire me and who's charm is not wasted on me.

But that's not the same to me as being 'in love,' which is a deeper, more romantic declaration. I will say, however, that I don't get to 'being in love' without going through 'loving someone' first. Some people do and can, I've never been able to.

Lucky for me, I rather often grow to love and admire people.

[Terwilliger]

8. most times...

but then I think about what's good for me :loveya:

[leftist_rebel1569]

10. YES

That's goin on for me right now, too...

[greatauntoftriplets]

12. Yes,

although one goes with the other, in many ways.

[supernova]

13. Yes with overlaps

You can love a person without being in love with them. Familial relationships for starters, close friendships for another.

However, being "in love" with someone pretty much neccessitates loving them as well.

[PinkTiger]

14. Here's the difference:

Being "in love" is temporary insanity.
Loving something is having genuine, heartfelt, unselfish regard for it or them.
For example, I love myself, I love my job, I love my husband and my children.
I'm "in love" with chocolate.
And when I was dating my husband, I was "in love" with him and would have blindly followed him to the ends of the Earth.
Today, after 26 years, I love him. I would probably accompany him to the ends of the Earth because I would worry about him, otherwise.
But I'd be bitching my head off all the way.

That's the difference.

[populistmom]

15. I love lots of people

Family, especially my children, certain old friends, but the term "in love" connotates romantic love I think.

Sarah

[DarkPhenyx]

17. Yup.

Most of the time actually.

I'm one of those folks that think there is a difference, but aht our language falls woefully short in being able to explain it.

[gate of the sun]

18. well I love my mother (at least some of the time)

but I am never "in love with her".