Do you know about Love?

So a very good question was posed to me today - "How do you know when you really love someone?" I am sure it is something we have all thought about at some point in time, and I think the answer is probably based on what point of your own life you are in. By that I mean if you have kids, you base it on unconditional love; if you are in a good relationship or a bad, you base it on that; if you are speaking to family, you base it on the obvious - you just do.
But then I thought is that really a sufficient answer? The most frequent answer people give is you just "know". Well if someone is asking you "how do you know" then they apparently it is not that easy for them. And I would say it is not fair to give them that answer. Some people might not know; there are times I thought I knew and in hindsight, I didn't.
So is that the answer? Do you only know in hindsight how much you loved someone? Do you not know til they are gone or you have something better? Now remember this can apply to not only relationships but also family, friends. There are different kinds of love so I suppose the answer would vary depending on their frame of reference. Is it possible then that no one really knows? How can you clearly define that when so much goes into the answer - e.g. emotions, other parts of life like work and money, the object of your "love" and their behavior.
So, my question is - what is your answer on this? If someone asked you that, what would you say? Thoughts thoughts?! Comments please......

Since when did friendship become a job?

I have always thought of friendship as one of life's greatest things. Next to God and (most) family, there is nothing better than a great friend. But as I was talking to one of my friend's today {we were discussing an issue she has with a different friend} and reviewing things going on in my own life, I realized a few things.
People think that you have to qualify in some sort of way to be their friend and that you have to keep up certain standards to stay there. Now if we were talking qualities like "kindness, humor, etc.," I might agree, but since when you have to make enough money or have a certain job to be someone's friend? Since when you have to do what they say or not be yourself to be someone's friend? Doesn't classifing people from your frienship get left at the playground in kindergarten? No it doesn't and it is sad........ in fact, if we raise our children right, it shouldn't even happen then. I see it though, well into middle school, high school AND as a last result, you would hope it got left prior to entering the real world. But no, grown adults act childish even in their later friendships.
I think this applies to relationships as well too. If people had a common respect for others. If people treated their friends or lovers with the respect that they would give a stranger, life would be a lot better. How is it that you will hold the door open for a stanger at the bank, but yell at your wife to hurry up as the door closes in front of her? How is it that you don't even expect the bank to loan you money, but you don't give a friend what you owe them?
I don't know if you all are seeing my point here, but if you are reading this....I challenge you to treat each person in your life with a little extra respect....I have a feeling you will see that in a short time, it will go a long way.