...to think you can be in love with someone before dating them?

[Mouseworld]

I’m in love with someone who I’m not dating. Haven’t even kissed, let alone lived together or anything.

Is this possible?

Are there people out there who felt that way and eventually got together with their loved one? If so, was the feeling the same once you were together?

Thanks.

How do you know them? Is it online or a friend?

A friend who I know pretty well.

Passing you a grip.

Sorry but unless it's reciprocal and you are getting together it's limerance.

I think it’s reciprocated but we’re both too scared to risk the friendship. But I’m not 100% sure. It’s not limerence. It’s much deeper, more caring, not obsessive.

Infatuated you mean do you? What if he/she has smelly breath for example.
You're on cloud 9. It's a long drop back down to earth.

Infatuated or lust maybe but, love??? Not a chance

I think you should ask them on a date, especially if you think it's reciprocal. If you really both feel that way you'll risk the friendship!

You can be in love with your version of them. The impression that you’ve got from the bits of them that you know, that they’ve let you in on. You’ll have filled in a lot of the blanks yourself though, with rose-tinted glasses, without even realising it. We all do. It’s really hard not to kid yourself that you really do know someone when you have such strong feelings.

I'm in the same boat as you, it is definitely possible yes

Did you post about this yesterday? Are you FigRollTime in disguise?

No. Will check out Fig Roll.

I think.you can have strong feelings but its probably infatuation, although there was a similar thread a few days ago and a poster insisted unrequited is a thing wether this is a thing or not, real love is when you build a life with someone and you still love them faults and all the whole being in love can't think about else,butterfly ,s etc normally fades in a long term relationship and when you really love , they can be annoying sometimes it gets a bit dull but you can't imagine life without them well that's how I feel about dh anyway

Unrequited love*

You’ve got a crush. It’s a lovely feeling but it’s not love. Love is reciprocal. There’s no maybe about it.

Yes definitely for me anyway, I was very much in love with my ex DP before we got together, he was a friend first, I remember been so happy for the first few years with him in my 20's.

Whoops. I believe yes, barely even knew him. Maybe it was infatuation never knowing when it changed into love but been with him for 6 years now - married for 3
I love that man so much

It is a great basis to start a relationship if you already have butterflies

Married him 13 years ago.

Some of these responses lol.
No, it doesn't mean it's a crush or infatuation. It can be genuine love.
I fell in love with my now husband through a friendship. It happens. Just take the risk. We did. 12 years strong!

Some of these responses are pathetic (and oh so infuriatingly smug). Of course you can love someone without dating, of course you can love someone that doesn't feel the same about you. Limerance is just one of those mumsnet words that gets trotted out at every opportunity by people who don't really understand what it means.

Only you know how you feel. Question is what are you going to do about it?

I knew I loved DH as soon as I saw him. Difficult to explain but I just knew. That was 24 years ago this year. Still feel the same way.

Or maybe I've just had limerance for 24 years

He doesn’t have bad breath Monty! I’ve been close enough to know.

I've been in this situation three times and went into have great relationships with them

Another one with a huge crush going on....