I have seen personal examples, but let me give you one that explains it simply.
I know of a woman who has been married to a man for over 20 years. They were happily married for the first 5 years before the man developed a motor neuron disease that caused hm to lose most of his long term memory. He can remember how to play the piano, speak, eat and other semi-instinctive functions, but he cannot remember anything that happens each day for more than a few minutes. To give you an example- If he meets you, he will be very polite and say "did the queen send you" He does this, because in his mind, if someone has come to see him after many "years" they must be of great importance. He will then say exactly the same thing each few minutes while you are there, as if he has never met you before.
He has a vague memory for his wife, but its more like a feeling he knows her.
Well, the wife stayed with him for a few years, looking after him and loving him. She eventually burned out and thought she should get on with her life, but after a year away from him, she missed him so much that she went back to him and has been with him for over 13 years while he has been like this. She works and supports him and patiently talks to him all the time, she sings with him as he plays the piano etc. She said she loves him so much that she will endure anything to be with him and expects nothing in return, she does this because of her love for him and that alone.
Compare that type of love to the love I have seen here which is conditional upon returned love and the behaviour of the supposed loved one.
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