Does Love Exist or is it a Fantasy?

I'm not overly cynical but I've always wondered how people feel about love?  After watching the movie 500 Days of Summer my thoughts went back to all of my previous relationships.  Was I in love with the idea of being with a guy or the way he made me feel?  Or was I in love with the idea of not wanting to be alone?

This is the longest I've ever been single, I'm going on almost a year.  And I have to say, I love it.  I have a new found appreciation for doing things that I want to do WHEN I want to do them, not answering to anyone besides myself (and I guess the dogs), and sleeping in a bed by myself.  

After my Datapalooza's I, II and III I'm not convinced that I'm quite ready to fall back in to a relationship, aka give up my single life.  As Summer says "I like being on my own. I think relationships are messy and people’s feelings get hurt. Who needs it? We’re young, we live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world; might as well have fun while we can and, save the serious stuff for later."

And PS:  I put on my big girl pants last week...