Love is never wasted if it is given freely with no expectations. I think it changes constantly, either growing or subsiding. I`ve loved girlfriends but was not "in love" with some of them(lust,rebound, either way I just knew they weren`t the one), had my heart broken a few times,one ripped it right out of my chest, chewed it up and spit it out in front of me, kind of gave up for awhile. It`s now easier to determine who I`m not "in love" with. I`ve survived and grown from each experience and if I ever feel it again I will completely surrender to it. You learn being true to yourself is the best thing for both. I may have passed up the chance because I was jaded or didn`t recognize it, you can be too cautious.
If it was me I would embrace it completely. Life is too short to not take the chance and it`s a wonderfull ride however long it lasts.