Well...That rationalization in place,(and with a track record of longer term struggling relationships, healthy cynicism, and pragmatism), I basically saw my spouse across a crowded room, had a powerful sense of "recognizing" him, went over to introduce myself and within 24 hours we were talking marriage. Now there certainly was lust, I know from lust, this was something more. Go figure.

      I've spoken in depth with enough people to not think love is the same for everyone. What we call love varies so much person to person it's insane. For instance, for a lot of people the line between love and hate is thin. They are in 'love', things stop working out, and then they hate the person. I've been in love a couple of times and can't bring myself to hate either woman, no matter what they've done to deserve it. To show extreme this includes trying to give my newborn son away to strangers neither of us knew, who had been turned down by state adoption services. Yet, still no hate in me for that one. The other has put me through all kinds of crap as well, I've never so much as called her a "bitch."
      My point? What kind of love each person is looking for is different. Figuring out what you need from your prospective love interest would make being happy much easier. If what you want is the heat of early relationships, don't have long-term ones. That simple. Of course, I'm a loner by nature that's never really looked for a relationship. I just take 'em when they show up. So what do I know?

Welcome back.:typing: