The word 'love' is often misused, carelessly overdone. It doesn't mean what it used to. Like the dollar bill, it is slowly losing its value. I don't want to give you a word that is also used to describe one's feelings toward pizza or a trend that will come and go. So no, I don't love you, I just really really like you a whole lot!
When I tell someone I love them, I mean it. If I am ever to say that I love you, you better realize how extremely big of a deal that is! I don't love frivolously, that's just not like me. And to those of you out there reading this, here is my first piece of relationship based advice: Don't treat love like a common feeling, love is rare and powerful. Use it only when you absolutely mean it from the bottom of your heart, and in the fullness of your mind.
Now, on the topic of relationships in the dating form, here is my personal advice that I give to you:
A relationship shouldn't be about gaining your own happiness through the other person. It should be about making the other person happy, and through that, being happy yourself.
Remember that guys have feeling too! Just because they're better at keeping them hidden, doesn't mean they don't exist.
I obviously have no personal experience when it comes to dating (as you can see from the title of this post) but I do know that it's a big deal. At least it should be. People these days (especially teenagers and younger) treat dating as an excuse to do things with a guy or girl that should be saved until marriage. Dating, or courtship, is meant to help you find the person you'll one day marry. It's not available to you just so you can have someone to make out with or show off to your friends.
..... more to come