How do you know when your in love?

ok so this guy and i liked eachother for 4 years but we cant go out intill we r 16. so in two years ill get the chance of dating him:) but hes a diff type of guy not like others hes not a trouble maker or anything bad. hes just a happy kind hilarious person lol i like him very very much and i would do anything for him but he says he loves me now. he didnt say that to me but to one of his friends so how do you know if he is REALLY TRULY in love with me or just saying that cuz he really likes me? and i wanna know if im in love with him. im very careful with the word love so i havent said it to him but is it just young love or real love? im just comfused in my mind if i actually love him or is it just stupid right now? lol if that doesnt really make sense then just tell me and ill try to rephrase the question for you guys:) thanks for your help! (we r both 14)