Well, I think I’ll start then, with my idea of love. I say my idea because no one things of love as the same thing. Some think that there is a different love for your cat, and your mom, and your girlfriend or boyfriend. I think they’re the same. I think it’s the actions and ideas you put behind that love that changes the way you express it. I love my mother, but I wouldn’t say, make love to her. I love my friends, but for the most part, I would not kiss them, nor would do many things that I do with, say, my Girlfriend. The same goes with say, my cat, or a dog, or just a random stranger. That said, the difference between friend and partner narrows in some respects, and widens in others. The fact there is love preexistent before someone becomes a partner means the trust is there in many ways…
To trust someone with love is to trust someone nearly explicitly…
So what is a partner?
Perhaps it’s that little extra bit. The idea that no matter what they asked you, you would at least consider doing it, or telling them anything they asked. More often than not, you’d do anything in your power to make that person happy. To place them at an equal with yourself (I’m still not sure if you can place someone above yourself). To feel empty when they’re not with you, and to feel full when they are around their strengths help your weaknesses, and your strengths do the same to them. Together you become something better than individually that can be said for friends too.
Of course, part of it is the physical layer of a relationship, but that isn’t universal. Many people are very physical with their friends… equally to in some cases the level they are with their partners.
It’s iffy… in a big way, a partner is just a friend that you choose to be with day in and day out, and let them be with you day in and day out, and learn you as you know yourself (and in some ways, better)