When love is real.. you KNOW it.

I dedicate this to those who have been heart broken, and who want to believe in love again. I wrote this.. 10-17-11. And 3 years ago exactly that I THOUGHT I was in love... and now 3 years later, in a new and more happy relationship, and through much prayer and meditation, through much self reflecting and taking responsibility for my past wrong doings, and asking for inner peace,.. I NOW know the meaning of love:

When love is REAL... you know it. You start to notice when the little things that matter(ed)... change(d). You know love is real.. when you don't want their money, you simply want their attention & time.. you KNOW love is real.. when you cry at the thought of losing that person... you KNOW love is REAL when you talk about that person NON-STOP and you want that person to meet everyone in your family & all your friends, you KNOW the love is real, when people can see how much your partner makes you smile and glow, you KNOW love is real, when that person consumes your thoughts.. your dreams, your time line on twitter, your status's on facebook.. you KNOW love is real.. when you'd give your LAST just to see them happy, even if it means you may not have anything left. You KNOW love is REAL.. when you don't give a DAMN what anyone says... even your family! you KNOW love is real, when you tell them EVERYTHING... even the things you wouldnt tell your best friend... you KNOW the love is real, when you'll do things with them & for them... that you would NEVER normally do for any other person you've ever dated. You KNOW love is real... when you want to be friends with your partners's friends. You KNOW its REAL love... when you can set aside your wants/needs.. for their wants/needs... you KNOW its love... when you will go through anything for them...even after having your heart broken several times in the past.. and NOT give up on them... just because of the past. You know its REAL love.. even when you have doubtful moments, you remember all the good times and good conversations. You KNOW its REAL love... when you can take them at their worst... you KNOW its real love.. when you can look them in the eyes, and NOT have to hear the words "I love you," you can just see it in their eyes... you KNOW its REAL love... when you can brag about them, and NOT feel ashamed or embarrassed. You KNOW its real love, when they accept your flaws and you accept theirs, WITHOUT trying to change them. You KNOW its real love, when you ONLY want to see them succeed.. even if it means you'll have to sacrifice/struggle. you KNOW its real love, when you're willing to re-locate for them...even if you miss out on being in the same city as your friends. YOU KNOW its REAL LOVE... when your partner is willing and able to put aside their pride, when they see you're in need. You KNOW its real love, when you're able to admit to being wrong. You know its real love, when you want to grow old with them, and still view them as attractive, EVEN if they put on a few pounds and grow hair in unlikely places. You know its REAL love.. when you accept his/her family as yours. You KNOW its real love... when ppl whisper doubt into your ears, and you deflect it and give it NO attention. You KNOW its real love... when you have an insecure moment.. they SHOW you... and tell you... that you have nothing to worry about, and assure you that you're still amazing...you KNOW its real love.. when they don't snap at you for feeling insecure... you KNOW its real love.. when no one else in the past... or present... can compare...you KNOW its real love... when you can't picture having a family without them... you know its REAL love.. when you feel it in your heart...without a doubt... and you're willing to stay committed, faithful, and put in the work.You know its real love, when a temptation is knocking and being for your attention, but it doesn't phase you, because know you have something GREATER and long lasting, YOU KNOW its real love... when you hold their hand & they can hold your hand-- during the most difficult times rather than abandoning .. you KNOW its real love... when you can be honest ALL THE TIME and feel guilty when the THOUGHT of lying crosses your mind..You know its REAL love, when you're willing to risk your life for theirs, and willing to risk your life to travel miles away, just to meet them in person for the 1st time You KNOW its love, when you give up on yourself and they keep picking you back up and dusting you off, and telling you to try again, and they REMAIN in your corner... you know its REAL love.. when you put them..before yourself.