Do you think “i love you” and “im in love with you” are different?

So I believe that loving someone and being in love with someone are different things/stages. I believe that love is like stage 1 and then falling into a deep(er) love with the person is a stronger feeling , sort of taking the relationship further. If that makes sense? One of my friends agrees w/ me that they are different, while another friend believes love and in love are synonymous

There are no wrong or right answers ! I’d just like to see ppl’s opinion on this.