True love?

I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be a true christian or man of God lately, and I have found out a lot about myself(But we'll get to that later, if ever).
When people say you have to 'Love God with all your heart', I get confused. I mean, how can you love someone you have never met? As a guy, it's hard for me to feel love for someone I don't know well. And there is a huge difference between love and feeling extreme gratitude or appreciation towards someone who has done something that means a lot to you.
I have always had trouble feeling this 'Love' for God. But when I recently truly gave Him my life, to serve Him, He started doing these things for me. I was shocked and humbled at how He could think these small things (in comparison to Him) were important enough for Him to bother with. He also did some pretty big things in my life, and is still doing so. God knows I am still a difficult person, and can be annoying, irritating, and sometimes a little arrogant. That doesn't mean I care less about my friends or family. It just means I either have a unique way of showing my love for them, or I am doing the wrong thing of venting stress from a long week, day, situation, and in doing so, yes, I could hurt someone. And I regret every time I have made someone upset, angry, or hurt.
But back on track, after He started doing all of this for me in return for my service to Him, I realized that the meaning of 'Loving God' was different to me than loving people. It's a unique thing. He is there to protect me, love me, and show me the way. My gratitude can only be shown by giving Him my life to serve Him.
I hope this helped anyone in need today or the next.