Summarize the following:
Romantic love involves a fondness for the other person, but it's accompanied by a deeper attraction in which you want to develop a sexual/intimate relationship with them. This goes one step beyond typical feelings of friendship or companionship. For example, with romantic love, you like being around the person, but you are also physically attracted to the person and feel aroused by them. Romantic love is a step further than just friendship, which may be considered platonic love. Chronicle your thoughts and feelings on paper to gain a better understanding of what you want. Review journal entries after a few days to spot themes or patterns. When you write, are you constantly referring to the person? Do you mention feeling jealousy when this person is with another love interest? Do you find yourself worrying about your appearance or trying to put your best foot forward around them? The answers to these questions can help confirm your feelings. Many people who are same-sex attracted report having these feelings previously with others. Thinking about your past dating or sexual history can help you determine if these feelings portray an orientation or merely mean that you have strong feelings for just one person. If you have ever felt attracted to a person of the same gender before, that could provide support for your current feelings. It can be tempting to dive in headfirst once you realize you like the other person, but wait it out. If these feelings are relatively new, they could change. Delay telling the person until you're absolutely sure you like them and you want to act on those feelings. For instance, if you decide to wait 2 weeks before you say anything and your attraction only grows during that time, then you'll have confirmation that your feelings are real. If you're struggling with the idea of being same-sex attracted or if you need additional support, see a professional counselor. You might talk to the counselor at your school or find one in your local community. A counselor can help you better understand the feelings you're having. They can also offer encouragement for coming out to family and friends.
Know how to tell if your feelings are romantic. Journal about how you're feeling. Reflect on past experiences. Give it time to see if the feelings stick around. Talk with a counselor to further explore your sexuality.