Hi Danielle:
Let me give you an analogy: You decide.
Being in love is connected to the individual emotions, psyche of the mind, and internal tender affection felt for someone. Loving a partner is the act of taking that internal emotion called love and painstakingly expressing it through actions - attitude – words – deeds.
Love can be divided into different feelings that comprise the whole state of being in love; transferred in loving a partner.
It can be comprised of the romantic - the fabulous – the imaginary - the sentimental, where one adds romance and excitement to a relationship with unexpected surprises, dreamy situations, and the emotional creation of sweet loving memories.
The passionate side of love is an intense and driving emotion and physiology that can come from the intangible inner emotions that define love - motivated into loving someone and then, expressing those loving feelings in sexual desire. Not just moments of stolen sexual gratification.
In loving a partner you are extending yourself, cultivating the growth of a relationship with clear distinctions; unconditionally in a way that takes your partner’s interests into account over yours.
It is reaching out to work through provoked times of injury. It’s the act of forgiving – hanging in there when it all hits-the-fan. . .and the ability to understand you are both imperfect human beings. It’s plain ole putting up with each other, an act easier said then done.
The Bible indicates: we love because God first loved us. He had love and chose freely to give of His love. In a similar manner, we fall into emotional love and have a need to transfer our love in loving a partner earnestly.
I would say: “Being in love, and the art of loving is divine, an exciting gift, and a wonderful way to live life. The love-match will only be as good as one chooses to make it, if one has chosen the right partner to love." 
Jane Doe Chronicles
Copyright © 2008 cdh
www.janedoechronicles.typepad.com