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If you check out "David Copperfield," by Charles Dickens, starting in Chapter 26, there is a very witty description of his first "true love." One of the telling things is that Dora has very little to recommend her besides being strikingly pretty and enchantingly silly, so he doesn't give a lot of intellectual reasons "why" he loves her. He simply accepts, and conveys to the reader, that he DOES!
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Total loss of common sense Over analytical to the point of ...complete misunderstanding Raising her on a pedastal (referring to the love that fails in the end) Overly protective and quick to overreact and jump to her defense, even if none may be needed. A definite extra 'hitch in your git up' when walking through the streets, blind to anything negative. Everything in the world is more enjoyable and may even do things a man would never consider - antique shopping, outlet malls, and other less than interesting activities - but actually enjoying it (more her company, but smile happily through all of the clothes holding and antique appraising.) Once again, a further loss of common sense and unwilling to listen to anyone's opinion that may interfere with the girl you've fallen for. Everything in sight reminds you of her (only increases if things go south)
Remeber the power of motive. You have several positive takes on love and one well written negative one, so there is variability. What motivates your character?
A bit of psychobabble from me on this is that all men crave affirmation. I think it is what motivates all men to achieve, and it spills over into all of what we do. We seek to get this itch scratched in a variety of ways, including our love lives. Sex is, after all, not just a physical release, but the ultimate "attaboy" that a man can get.
So when you fall in love, and you realize she loves you too, you feel ten feet tall.
You probably do not need to be told this, but the idea of "locker room talk", ie, bragging, does not happen. Men do not want other ment to think their love is a whore, and so men do not really talk about their love lives in a detailed way. We do prattle on about the ones we love, but it is never in a way that is demeaning - we want others to think our families are the best - how else to seem accomplished?
posted
To be exact, locker room talk does happen, but it mainly appeals to guys in the adolescent stage of social developement. Basically, kids who are young/sheltered enough that losing their virginity would represent an accomplishment of sorts.
Of course, guys can define "virginity" to mean an unlimited number of progressively more unusual or even anti-social sexual behaviors.
quote: men do not really talk about their love lives in a detailed way. We do prattle on about the ones we love, but it is never in a way that is demeaning
That only holds true if you're talking about men with a modicum of class. Plenty of men demean their wives/girlfriends quite vocally.
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