That's one thing I've learned as well...mutual respect is soooo very important. I think that for me was one of the elements missing with the other guys I've dated that I never "felt" love for...
One thing my oldest sister has always told me -
you should never be made to feel that you're lucky a guy is dating you...you should feel equal in the relationship. When you are put into a position of feeling like you're lucky that a guy is giving you the time of day or is "gracing" you with his presence then you start losing your own identity and you start acting in ways to "earn" and keep his attention and love...
That isn't what mutual respect is all about...
(hope that made sense
)