And while conversations and dates after 10 years may not have the same frenetic energy, sitting down to reminisce on the people you’ve been — together — is rare and something to cherish. But early on, it can be hard to identify the difference between love and lust, or love and infatuation. Ahead, you’ll find some of the signs you love someone (as well as signs that they might be feeling the same way about you).
Disclaimer: In the 1950s and 1960s, falling in love was often understood as the first step toward marriage and family life. Romance was closely tied to stability and social approval, with love seen as the gateway to building a household. A woman who fell in love was expected to marry young, while a man was expected to provide and protect. These gender roles were rarely questioned, and most stories about love—from films to advertisements—reinforced the idea that a woman’s fulfillment came through being chosen by the right man.
