This is an age-old question and the cause of much trouble. How do you differentiate between the two? Fact is, when you are in love it is a commitment and a devotion of an entirely different level. Things that your lover does do not bother you. Even the bad things and the irritating habits become prized possessions.
Infatuation is a phase where you have admiration for a person. It is more like a crush, where certain habits please you but others make you mad. It is usually short-lived and easily disappears after a while. It can be difficult to differentiate between the two, as there is no age limit for either of them.
Infatuation typically occurs in young people and can happen just by sight because infatuation is typically sparked by hormones. There is also no “long-term concern about any kind of growth of either person involved.” In fact, you don’t even have to know the person with whom you are infatuated.
On the other hand, “to truly love someone you will need to understand their hopes, dreams and aspirations along with connecting to them in some individual way.” In addition, infatuation can disappear quickly especially if you have to sacrifice something for it. With love, you are willing to sacrifice anything for a person with whom you are in love.