Gary Chapman makes some good points from research about the "falling in love" feeling compared to understanding what real love is all about.

Real Love Precedes Your Feelings
 
by Dr. Gary Chapman
 
Some researchers have concluded that the experience of "falling in love" should not be called "love" at all.
 
People tend to think that "falling in love" is the foundation of a good marriage. But research is showing that this admittedly profound emotional experience may not be love at all.
 
Why would I say that? Because "falling in love" is not an act of the will. No matter how much you may want to "fall in love", you can't make it happen.
 
Secondly, the "in love" experience is not real love because it is effortless. Whatever we do in the "in-love" state requires little discipline or conscious effort on our part. We are giving up self-control to flow with our feelings.
 
Thirdly, people who are "in-love" are generally focused on how happy the other person makes them feel. In other words it is centered on yourself, how you are feeling.
 
Real love on the other hand is a choice we make every day. We consciously choose to look out for the well-being of our spouse or our children. We use our words and actions to serve them, thus we are giving and creating love. 
 
Love is the key to a successful marriage. It's the key to most successful interpersonal relationships.
 
When we truly love, then, yes, we have warm feelings for each other. But the love comes first and precedes our feelings.