10 notches

10 notches down from love is when you recognise his face.

9 notches down from love is when you remember his name.

8 notches down from love is when you can make a fool out of yourself like he has no judgement.

7 notches down from love is when calling him anything other than his pet name feels like the most absurd thing in the world.

6 notches down from love is when you can face him in your pyjamas with no make-up on and state-of-the-art bed hair.

5 notches down from love is when thinking about him, missing him and feeling for him doesn't stop – even when you want it to.

4 notches down from love is when you find typical turn offs cute, when it comes to him.

3 notches down from love is when the thought of committing to him brings happiness and pain combined.

2 notches down from love is just when you think you've had the last straw, he surprises you with a very appealing haystack - which causes you to stay.

1 notch down from love is when you're ready to risk letting someone know you better than you know yourself; so they can swim effortlessly through your veins, and poison your blood; so they can mess with your thoughts, and bring peace to your mind; so they can break your heart and love it back like the world's greatest honour… all at the same time.