There are certain verbs in English that essentially have collapsed the imperfect and simple preterite.
For example, only very rarely do we hear, "I was being in error." "Was" in English can imply both continued ("I was an airplane pilot") or simple ("I was embarrassed") aspects. "Was" is NOT properly used for the perfect aspect, however, because "have been" is in wide use.
"Love" is another such example. Basically, if you have heard "was [verb]ing" in English, then you can use that for a translation of the imperfect. If you have not, then use one of the other imperfect translations or use the combined imperfect/preterite form in English.