From my perspective, you have fallen in love many times. I feel the reason this particular concept is used is not because you get any particular feeling different that any other love. I think the reason it is used is because of the helplessness you feel when you come to love something or someone without expecting to.

How many times have you been taken with something and could not refuse to allow it into your life? A kitten, a puppy, a child, or for some of us, a man or woman??

Falling is unexpected and can not be helped. Nothing you can do, once the fall begins, can stop it.

To me, the phrase 'Falling in Love" means I can't stop it from happening.

I fell in love with my little Maltese, Maxie, when I saw her little face in the pet shop. I had no intention of buying a dog. I wanted my life simple and unencumbered. I went back to that pet store almost every day to watch her and play with her. I finally bought her and she has become a very important part of my life.

The love for my husband was also unexpected. I'm a very free soul and DID NOT want to be tied down. No, I wasn't knocked down by love for him. It grew quite unexpectedly. I "fell in love" with him and he has become a very important part of my life.

I loved your piece and I would like to congratulate you on the fine acceptance it received.

I hope I added a little to your understanding of this sometimes misunderstood phrase.

I fell in love with Mudcat!

Love, annamill