I used to think love was a glittery spectacle, complete with heart-shaped confetti and Hollywood music swelling in the background. Then real life hit me over the head with a reality check. Love can be messy, hilarious, painful, and undeniably complicated. Funnily enough, that chaos is precisely what makes it so gripping. One day, you’re hanging out casually—no big deal—when a sudden flood of emotion leaves you tongue-tied. It feels like your heart has discovered a brand-new dimension you never knew existed. The rush is exhilarating: you care …