Hmmm,
Before a relationship that was a friendship reaches the point of physical love - the relationship has developed into something more than simply platonic feelings of trust and respect.
I'd say I prefer love as I've experienced both issues regarding a friend becoming a lover and losing a friend by becoming a lover.
Then again, in my mind, it's never love if it doesn't last & the definition of what people love can be summed up in the phrases
" I love pokemon "
" I love my girlfriend"
Whereby the language I've used indicates i feel the same way about Pokemon as I do about my girlfriend.
Indicative of the truth or a problem with english having only one word that epitomises so many variations of an emotion?
I love the fact there are 2 ways (that I know of) to say I love you in Japanese
Daisuki - When I feel cutesy
Aishiteru - When I assert my true feelings
