But even so, love is still something more than respect, admiration, and courtesy. When you truly love someone, you would do just about anything to keep from hurting them. Not for altruistic notions of denying one's self, but because knowing that they are happy really and truly makes you happy, and when they cry, their tears are yours. When you love someone, you open yourself up to being hurt by them, but for some reason, you really don't mind. It is a mystical thing, that can never be fully explained.
Love is love.
At least I've added a bit of Stefinism to the abundance of literature on the subject. As an appendix to this, I would like to refer you to an essay written by one of my true friends. The details are messed up, but the message is there. This site is hosted by Grass.