Love is a combination of feelings that are hard to put into words but that everyone recognizes when they see them. You can feel attracted to someone, like spending time with them, and feel sad when they are not around. These feelings can be part of a relationship, but what are the rest of the feelings of love?

First love usually comes with a roller coaster of emotions. There are many feelings that come along with love, and the partners in the relationship must learn to trust one another and respect each other’s boundaries. A loving relationship allows the partners to be who they are and achieve their full potential.

When someone wants to spend the rest of their life with you, it is very important that they are able to distinguish between love and attraction.

What Is Love in a Relationship?

Partners in a relationship have love for each other when they are able to set and respect each other’s boundaries and care about each other’s well being and are able to communicate their feelings. They must be emotionally available for each other and help each other achieve their goals.

True love brings peace of mind and security. Having a loving and supportive partner gives you the ability to achieve your goals, enjoy your life, and provides you with the love and care that you need and deserve.

Less flamboyant forms of love are just as deep as love that is defined by social stereotypes.

What Is Love?

In simple terms, what is love?

To love someone is to feel concern and fondness for someone else while appreciating their individuality. Love is a blend of feeling and understanding, caring for, and being committed to someone.

Love is not synonymous with being controlled, drained, and hurt.

Love is not allowing someone to be disrespectful, manipulative and abusive to you.

Love is not allowing someone to use you and waste your time.

Love is not being there to help someone when they need it and supporting them through difficult times.

True love is wanting to be there for someone, wanting to support them and help them achieve their goals.

This is the kind of love that should prevail in a relationship before and after marriage.

What Is Love for a Woman?

What is love for a woman? Again, this question does not have a specific or absolute answer because each woman is different and has her own ideas about love.

For the majority of women, love is feelings of personal security, and being valued and respected by their partners.

Love is experiencing the following in your relationship:

• Feeling like your partner listens to what you say without interrupting or dismissing you.
• Freedom to make your own decisions without your partner trying to control you.
• Being understood in both your personal life and career.
• Honesty from your partner.
• A partner that is genuine and acts on their feelings towards you rather than simply telling you they care.
• Being included on issues that your partner believes will impact you.
• Having your partners respect for your other relationships and/or family.
• Feeling emotionally protected.
• Having your partner support you through a tough time.
• Recognizing the things about you that you can't change and accept that your partner will always appreciate you for you.

It is common knowledge that to have love in a relationship, you need to have all the above in your relationship.

Love is different from being physically and/or emotionally attracted to someone.

You can be attracted to someone but, in the long run, that may not serve your best interest. You need to fully comprehend what is love in a relationship. This includes the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the good, the bad and everything else that comes with it.

7 Signs of Real Love in a Relationship

1. You are Free to be You

With your partner, you don't have to hide who you really are. You don't feel the need to lie or misrepresent yourself. The truth is, you can tell your partner everything about yourself and you don't have to worry about it coming back to hurt you.

2. You Value Each Other

Love and respect go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other.

Healthy relationships don’t involve purposefully trying to hurt each other through verbal assaults, control, or humiliation.

3. You Get Each Other

Real love doesn’t prevent disagreements. The most important thing is the couple's ability to express their feelings and opinions to one another. Love and trust give you the ability to take a step back if you feel the need to.

4. You Help Each Other Reach Your Goals

Partners help each other build themselves.

Love, more often than not, gives you the push you need to become a better person.

5. You Feel Protected Emotionally

Your partner is someone you can trust not to physically, emotionally or psychologically abuse you. You know you partner will always have your back and support you as you take steps to better yourself.

6. You Appreciate One Another's Uniqueness

You are okay with the fact that your partner is different from you and that you don't always share the same interests. You are cool with the fact that you prefer different activities or past times and that you have varying opinions on different things.

7. You Understand Each Other's Minds

You love the fact that you don't always see eye to eye. More than that, you appreciate your partner for who they are.

It is far more effective to learn to accommodate your differences than it is to seek out a partner who shares your exact qualities.

7. You Think About the Future Together

Where do you see yourself in five years? Many hope to have the opportunity to discuss such things with their partner.

To envision such a future, you must be prepared to address your partnership in practical terms. This may involve combining your families and ensuring your professional and personal lives align with your values.

What role will your faith and traditions play? How will you choose to parent? Only after addressing such questions may a couple forge a partnership that transcends love and prepares them for a life together.

For individuals with an interest in understanding the world of relationships and marriage beyond the realms of India and the Indian diaspora, Dr. Dhol’s literature is recommended reading.

In the same vein, individuals with an interest in understanding how to navigate parental concerns regarding marriage are recommended to read Dr. Dhol’s works.

Marriage and Family: Adjusting to Different Norms

Marriage creates a legal and social union between two individuals; however, it may also affect the two families and social networks involved. These families and social networks may represent a variety of ethnic and cultural traditions. The result is that couples are obligated to discuss a range of issues to evaluate how such traditions may help forge a partnership.

Instead, they are able to communicate values and plans for the future.

Individuals able to express interest in relationships within the community are able to use Dhol’s community-based match and potentially use the Agarwal community match.

Additionally, individuals interested in matchmaking within the context of Hinduism can use the Hindu matrimony services available on the app.

The Nature of Love in a Technological Age

New means of communication and interaction have transformed the ways in which people are able to form relationships and even meet potential partners.

Of course, people still meet in person through work and social situations. Other people use online social networks and dating and matrimonial services.

Ultimately, the principles for creating and sustaining healthy and fulfilling relationships have not and will not change.

Those principles include, for example, the ability to communicate and be honest with your partner.

People looking to change the way they interact with potential partners and spouses for marriage are able to use the services provided by Dhol to find and interact with people in a safe, trusted and secure manner.

The app uses a compatibility-based system to provide potential matches and promote meaningful interactions.

You are also able to identify what love is not.

Love is not:

• Jealousy
• Insecurity
• Obsession
• Manipulation
• Fear
• Weakness
• Disrespect

Despite experience conflict and difficulties, love is not supposed to be painful. Sometimes, relationships become unhealthy and even abusive, because of the way people are treated by their partners.

You may be able to tell if you love someone by asking yourself simple questions.

What about them draws compassion from you, even if it benefits you not at all?

Do you allow them space as desired?

Do you tell them when you are upset with them?

Do you admire and celebrate their essential qualities, apart from their impact on you?

Do you envision celebrating life’s mundane moments with them?

Do you talk about the things you want to happen in your future?

Can you be your complete self and allow them to be their complete self?

It is rare to find people with whom you can share your entire life, and vice versa. If you feel you have found that person, is this relationship really worth investing your time? There are things you should take into consideration when evaluating your relationship apart from the excitement you feel, and the answers to those things are herein.

Frequently Asked Questions About Love in a Relationship

What is love in relationship terms?

Love in a relationship is having positive feelings toward a person, as well as ensuring that your actions demonstrate and build trust and commitment.

What is love in a relationship for a woman?

For a woman, love in a relationship includes having emotional security, appreciating and valuing her, as well as supporting and respecting her in accomplishing her aspirations and goals.

What is the Difference between Love and Attraction?

Love usually evolves from attraction. The essence of love is emotional commitment. This emotional commitment is typically demonstrated by care and concern, coupled with understanding and respect for the partner.

Can Love Alter?

It is obvious that the nature of love is subject to change. Love transforms and broadens as a couple gets to know and understand each other better.

Final Thoughts

Love is more than the fleeting feelings that quicken your heartbeat. Love is Patience. Love is Long-suffering. Love is Encouragement. Love is Support. Love is Trust. Love is Compassion. Love is Honesty. Love is accepting your partner the way he or she is. Above all, Love is Choosing each other.

As love progresses to the level of a Marital Commitment, these qualities of love become Imperative.

The truth is, a fulfilling relationship with love is not about finding the one person you can’t live without. It is about finding the person with whom you can live, love, build and create a meaningful and rewarding life. This means choosing to love and nurture each other always, even during tough times.

Love is the bond that creates and strengthens your relationship. You have the responsibility to create and nurture true love in your life.