The word “love” is thrown around so loosely these days that we don't know who truly means it and who just says it to say that they are.

Even I have one of the more pessimistic perspectives when it comes to love, and I have found myself saying it when I didn’t really mean it. That got me thinking.

Are we all really in love with who we are with or do we just love the idea of it?

Like I said before, everyone likes having someone. Everyone eventually wants someone to share their life with; the bad and the good. It's all a little better when there is someone who is constantly there for you every step of the way.

That being said, a lot of us think that despite the kind of person they may be. While this might be selfish, it’s human nature to want to be wanted and to have someone who returns that.

A big reason why people are so in love with the idea of love is because of their ultimate fear of being alone, or ending up alone, so they settle for someone that they might entirely think is right for them.

But, for them, it's better than being alone. While that may be selfish, it's understandable and it explains why it's so common.

There is a difference between caring about someone and maybe even loving them, versus the idea of actually being totally and completely in love with someone.

When you care about that person just as much or more than yourself, when you would do anything for that person, despite flaws and despite anything else, I think that's when you're in love with someone, not someone who is just there.