- Exclusivity - romantic attraction is exclusive, while in platonic relationships you wouldn't mind them talking to other people in the same way - Platonic means non-sexual - Romantic doesn't mean not physical, but usually if you are trying to pursue a romantic relationship with someone a large part of that interest is physicality - Different futures - wanting different things in life and we have many different virtues - Individuality and willingness to change for the other person - in platonic friendships there's not as much of a necessity to change for the other person, but in romantic relationships you need to consistently put in effort to compromise - need to navigate hardships and incompatibilities together, less taboo it is totally possible to have a “girl crush” or “man crush” which is solely admiration/infatuation for a person without the component of wanting to date them. Chat with Aidan - romance is more stakes and intensity - more priority, would choose person over them - but less stakes in college? - you're in college, shouldn't commit that hard yet? - Sternberg theory of love - Romantic has passion and intimacy, but doesn't have to be commitment