Love

My girlfriend tells me she loves me, but it's not the same love she has for her friends, family, pets, whatever (pets, LOL), and yet she's not IN love with me. I've been very confused with her terminology and/or what she's really trying to say, because I could've sworn that "different" love WAS being "in love," the same feelings hormone-induced infatuation, romance, being smitten, etc.

Maybe you should ask? <_>

Since she's your gf and all. Communication goes with the cherishing-appreciating-hormone-induced-infatuation-romance-being-smitten package y'know.

The only difference I see is where you use the two.

I love my gf
I love my pet

I'm in love with my gf
I'm in love with my pet

I love my gf
I love my plant

I'm in love with my gf
I'm in love with my plant

In love seems to be more directed at your partner than other things. but that still shows that for romantic relationships both can be used and pretty much means the same thing.