Limerence is an involuntary fixation driven by longing, uncertainty, and the hope that another person will reciprocate. Love can also feel intense, but it becomes increasingly grounded in knowing the real person, caring about their well-being, respecting boundaries, and building a relationship through consistent choices. The two can overlap, especially at the beginning of a romance. The clearest question is not “How strong are my feelings?” but “Are these feelings helping me relate to the person as they really are?” …