Loving someone and being in love: oddly enough, they mean two very different things. You can love someone without ever falling in love with them. "I love you" and "I'm in love with you." Their meanings seem similar but are so drastically different by two words. In and with. Did you ever think those two filler words could change the definition of how someone feels about you or how you feel about them? Neither did I.

When you love someone, it means a variety of things. You value them and their opinion. You care about their days, care about the troubles and their accomplishments. Love like this is expressed unconditionally. With no limitations. This kind of love is what creates a barrier between friends and family. The love that isn't expressed daily or even at all. It's unspoken but apparent. This kind of love doesn't need to be shared only between significant others, either. This is the type of love that is shared between family. Whether that be blood connection or paths that have been crossed and never broken.

Love like this doesn't stop there. We love our exes and the people that have found their ways in and out of our lives. Not because we choose to or want to. Some of them more than likely hurt us, betrayed us or used us. This is why they are no longer a part of the beautiful lives we have created. But, they are still loved. They are loved because they shaped us. They taught us things others could not. The memories and the lessons learned. That is what we love and why we continue to love them.

To all the people who are now absent from my life, I do love you. I love you for shaping me and impacting my life. But you don't deserve a place in my world anymore. Thank you for allowing me to grow and love you regardless. I wish you all nothing but the best and endless love, the kind of love that I can no longer provide you with.

Now, being "in love" does not fall into any of these categories. Being in love is messy, unclear and undefinable.

Falling in love doesn't happen overnight. It happens gradually and then all at once. Sometimes you fight it. Sometimes you don't know it's happening. Other times, though, you're all too aware and it's scaring the hell out of you.

If you've been hurt before, falling in love, again, is ten times scarier than before. But somehow, more exciting than anything you've ever experienced.

Falling in love with someone, or being in love with someone is like always feeling scatter brained. It's ten different emotions wrapped up into four words, "I am in love." But how to do you know that for sure? You don't. There is no certainty with this kind of love. You thought you were before and you most likely will think you are again. However, this is the highest form of love you've ever experienced. The easiest. The most genuine. And quite possible, the realest love you've ever felt. That doesn't mean it's forever, but it also doesn't mean you should be afraid of it.

Let it consume your soul, take over your mind and let your endorphin's run wild. I can't promise it won't go all wrong, or your heart won't shatter beneath you. But don't be afraid to fall in love, especially if you've been hurt before. God directed you along this path for a reason. Give it a chance and let it fill the parts of your soul that are missing from your last heartbreak.

Loving someone is singing completely out of pitch in the car together but being in love with someone is wishing the light turns red, just to have a few more minutes with them.

Nothing has certainty. Being in love includes this. Don't say it until you think you're sure, but just know, you could still be wrong. And that's okay. God has a plan for you. Love them and allow your opportunities to take you places you never imagined.

Be vulnerable. Fall in love. Love can make you blind, so walk with faith. God will always guide you when you're unable to see.

To the boy I don't know if I'm in love with,

I do love you. Just give the time to figure out how much.