What is the definition of romantic love?

[Der/die AtheistIn]

I don't understand the definition of romantic love. Does it even exist? I know what sexual attraction is and I know you can feel it towards people you don't have a strong bond with. You can even have the desire have romantic, but not (exclusively) sexual, interaction with a certain person you don't have a bond with.
From what I've heard, in order to have a healthy romantic relashionship with someone, you need to know that person very well, get along with them, like their personality and spending time with them, accept the deffects you consider they have and care for eachoder. Aren't those criterias for a friendship? Romantical and sexual attraction are considered two separate things. Is romantic love a strong friendship with the desire to have romantic contact, but not necessarily sexual? 
What about romantic contact? French kissing for instance. Is it something strict culturally or have we humans evolved into showing a certain kind of love with this practice? Is the desire to live with someone a romantic act? Other things such as  non french kissing, hugging and cuddling aren't always considered romantic. 
Does romantic love truly exist?

[Neo-Scholastic]

The only definition for romantic love is the one your wife uses.

[brewer]

I'm not even sure I can come close to defining love, let alone romance love.

[Silver]

 
Does romantic love truly exist?

It is something you fool your mind into accepting, much like happiness and god.

[Seraphina]

Romantic love is a construct, like race or money. It's what you make it to be.

-Teresa

[Minimalist]

Romantic love is the kind they yammer on about in chick flicks.

Guys call it boring.

[The Valkyrie]

Where you wait for the second date before sticking it in?

[ignoramus]

Romantic love means you haven't been with the person long enough to see him/her fart, scratch their arse or pick their nose in public.

And if you're still with them after that, then it's true love. (and you've compromised your life. aka marriage)

[The Valkyrie]

Romantic love means you haven't been with the person long enough to see him/her fart, scratch their arse or pick their nose in public.

And if you're still with them after that, then it's true love. (and you've compromised your life. aka marriage)

A good policy for life is to scratch someone else’s arse, pick someone else’s nose and, in extreme circumstances, shit someone else’s pants.

[ignoramus]

Eeew!