how do you know if you really love someone?

You know, when its been years into a relationship, and the so called :fire: has simmered down, you begin to think where you are and that is where I am. I dont know how to explain it any further coz I am confused, as obviously my question asks. ugh.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

So Sassafrass and Alice your replies are kinda contradicting each other,
I mean, if you say that the feeling doesnt last forever I believe the same thing and that for all couples it eventually fades to some degree, and when it does fade you are bound to ask my question, to which Sassafrass states "If you have to ask, you're probably not in love".

So how? I dunno if you understand my english, not my first language.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Oh I meant the part where the fire fades so since I believe that all couples are gonna realize this they are bound to ask my question... So I dont think it means they're probably not in love all that time.

This is probably corny but Im serious, What is love? Is it not a feeling? Or is it a choice? Don't feelings and decisions change?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

So what do you do when that happens? DO you break up? Or scientifically, can you bring the love back?

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I dont wanna lose this woman, but sometimes I get thoughts like what ifs and what thens, like what if I meet other women what if aargh driving me in circles..... When she tells me she loves me I can't seem to return an i love you without having to analyze why I have to say it. Basically I say it because I think I want to be with her although Im not sure where the realtionship is going.. I guess I have to talk to her about this?
Just thinking of her cry breaks my heart.

I was speaking idiomatically.