Do I love my best friend?

I’ve been struggling with how I feel for several months now. I don’t know if I am in love with my best friend or if we are just really good friends.

My best friend and I (both in our 20’s) have known each other for 11 years and have always been the #1 person in each other’s lives, through bad friend groups, school, jobs etc. We have always been there for each other and can talk about anything to each other (although we never really talk about relationships/crushes or whatever, because frankly I haven’t had any in what feels like forever— and neither of us have ever been in a relationship before). We’ve talked each other through panic attacks, anxiety attacks and general overthinking. We always say “I love you” every night and hug whenever we get to see each other.

We lived together during 3 years of college and are currently in different living situations because of school (roughly 2 hours apart now). Being apart for so long has made me realize how much I miss her and want to move in together again and I always want her to be a part of my life. I just can’t imagine life without her.

Again, I don’t know if we are just really good friends or this is something more. I love her with my whole heart, but I’m afraid if I tell her how I really feel, then I’ll lose her forever.

Tips on how to tell if I am in love with my best friend/how to tell her??