When can you say that you’ve truly loved a girl?

[iam_ss]

However you may define love, how do you know that it wasn’t just lust or infatuation?

[Kaneki05]

I'm one who gets limerence and trust me I know the difference between that and love. The couple of first times I dated I was unaware, but I became aware of it then learned from it. Limerence is something that becomes obvious because it's selfish it wants her because I like her therefore "I love her" but real love is I don't want her I just want her to be happy.
If been with me makes her happy 100% the best outcome but if someone else makes her happy if I love her I will except that. Unlike limerence were I would annoyed and obsessive.
It's a clarity that hits you at some point.

[mobiusforniner]

When youve experienced putting her needs before yourself. When you accept her imperfections and still find her beautiful. When she puts her head in your chest and you just hold her. No words. Just comfort, peace, warmth. When she smiles at you, her eyes glossy, her hair dangles across her face and you both laugh.

When you're in love, you'll know it, because you feel it.

[RACSKC0B]

Loved?
As in past tense?
When you still think about things you should have done to be mean, and it makes you smile, and even though you want nothing to do with her (like she's Voldemort, you won't speak her name, and you gasp when anyone else does), but when you hear about something good happening to her that no one else knows how much she really wanted something like that to happen to her, but you know because you dated her, you're happy for her. You don't tell anyone of course, but whenever you do see her again, you know you're going to tell her you heard about it, and you were happy for her (her who shall not be named).

[RedStealthOperative]

When your intentions are pure towards her. You don't just love the idea of who you think she is, like most do. You really "see" her, exactly for who she is, as she is, and it becomes harder and harder to picture your life without her.

This is also especially key: When what you fear most takes a back seat to how much you care about her.

[exitseven]

I think that the first time I loved somebody I really changed as a person. I stopped being so angry and sullen and I opened up to people a little bit.

[domenico07]

No comment. I honestly don’t know the answer to that question. I’ve never been in love, so I am the wrong person to answer this lol

[AviatorTom]

Yes, 20+ years of marriage (maicable divorce) with my ex-wife, and 6-plus years in my current relations hip with my SO.

[UniquelyBasic]

When you are still happy for them even at the detriment of yourself.

[IsoUser]

I would tend to think that having two twin daughters and a son with her would essentially answer that question Lol

[RuthlessAggression]

She makes him happy, every day, for the rest of his life

[driven159]

if you know yourself than you will know you are in love

[Anonymous]

After several months.

[iam_ss]

And then?

[Opinion Owner]

Id tell her.

[iam_ss]

But how do you know that you do? Any specific markers or signs?

[Opinion Owner]

Its a gut feeling.

[Anonymous]

I've never asked a girl out in my 30 years.

[RobEurope]

When i stay with her when she's sick.

[Iron_Man]

I had before

[truthisthree]

3 to 5 years