What is Love?

At seventeen am I allowed to use the word love? Do I know what it means? When I say I love you to him do I just mean that I have never had feelings like that before and I am assuming its love? I know I love my family, but that is a much different love. I love my family because they are my family its required. I guess when I say I love you to my family I mean that I will always be there for them and they are my world. But what does it mean to love a boy? Am I capable of these emotions so young? Is love above my head? If so what are these butterflies when I see him? Why do I smile everytime he texts me? Why does my heart skip a beat when I hear his voice? Is it love? Or is it just another teenage crush? Only time will tell. <3