Crush, Infatuation, Love.......

I suppose we have all experienced various attractions to others in our lives.  Remember when you were young and you felt a strong attachment to someone?  When I was young, that kind of feeling was called a "crush" ---a temporary endearment to another.  I guess the object of my first crush was my second grade teacher.  After that, there were any number of female classmates who I felt a crush for over the years.

As I matured into adulthood, I found occasions when an attraction would develop with a woman.  This, to me, was like a crush but more intense.  The dictionary calls this an "infatuation" ---a "foolish, unreasoning or extravagant passion or attraction".  An infatuation can make one feel pretty helpless, because it is practically impossible to control and can lead to some bad endings.

"Love" is defined as "an intense feeling of deep affection".  This, to me, is a mature feeling that has the connotation of permanence.  Of course, a relationship that features true love is rather difficult to attain, but is very fulfilling and rewarding when accomplished.

Sometimes---especially when we are young---we confuse infatuation with true love.  This is a highly confusing state, and often leads to deep confusion and frustration.

Have you ever had a crush on someone?  Have you ever been infatuated?  Have you ever been in a permanent love relationship?  Do you have any thoughts on these feelings?