LOVE DEFINITION:Deep affection, attachment, or devotion for another PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Moving to get closer or touch the person Smiling at nothing A beaming expression, glowing cheeks Strong eye contact, with very little blinking Focusing on the other’s best attributes Taking large, deep, savoring breaths A yearning look Unconsciously parting the lips A light, bouncing step A silly grin Laughing and talking nonstop Leaning against one another Lying in the other’s lap Using pet names or terms of endearment Mooning over photos or representations of a love interest Listening to and connecting with love songs Adopting a silly love-struck tone when communicating Nervous behaviors (fiddling with the hands, moistening one’s lips, etc.) Getting tongue-tangled SayingI love you Pointing one’s torso and feet toward the loved one Playful shoving and grabbing Sharing secrets and desires Affectionate touches (stroking an arm, holding hands, kissing, hugging, etc.) Sitting together so the legs touch Putting an arm around someone’s shoulders Realigning hobbies or interests to match the other person’s Hooking a hand in the other person’s belt or pocket Ignoring or neglecting other friends to be with the significant other Writing notes or poetry to the other person Offering gifts of time, value, or thoughtfulness Talking to friends about the special person, asking for advice Obsessively checking the phone to see if the love interest has called Constant texting back and forth Doodling hearts and names Trying to improve one’s appearance in some way, by coloring one’s hair, working out, etc. Watching romantic movies INTERNAL SENSATIONS: A fluttering in the stomach, a feeling of emptiness A racing pulse The heart beating, banging, or hammering A hyper-awareness of the body Weak knees or legs A tingling or electrical jolt at accidental touches MENTAL RESPONSES: Euphoria; pleasure at touching and closeness Appreciating the world and everything in it Losing track of time when one is with the other person Mental fuzziness, distraction, and daydreaming Losing awareness of one’s surroundings when the love interest is near Seeking ways to make a loved one proud Worrying when too much time has passed without contact A feeling of possessiveness and jealousy Feeing safe and whole when one is with the other person A tendency to notice things the love interest would enjoy, even in their absence ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Exchanging personal effects (clothing, jewelry, keys, etc.) Embracing the love interest’s friends as one’s own Sharing finances and possessions Enduring hardship to be with the love interest or make them happy Putting the other’s needs and desires first Intimacy Sharing hopes and dreams; becoming emotionally vulnerable Future planning that centers around the love interest Entering into a committed relationship (living together, getting married, etc.) SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Flushed skin A high-pitched voice Nervous laughter or giggling Standing close, yet not touching Darting glances Watching from a safe distance An increased interest in the other person’s personal life Forcibly declaring that nothing’s going on:We’re just friends An overall brightening of one’s mood when the other person enters the room MAY ESCALATE TO:Peacefulness,Satisfaction,Desire,Adoration MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Acceptance,Connectedness,Gratitude,Longing ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Beam, canoodle, caress, confide embrace, encourage, flirt, gaze grin, kiss, laugh, nurture nuzzle, ogle, stare, stroke tease, tingle, touch, trust WRITER’S TIP:Sentence structure is especially important when writing descriptions. Varied sentence length keeps the pace moving and makes the flow of sensory detail feel more natural, avoiding a “dry report” feel.