In the movies it's clear that he followed his heart, and she was very similar.
(heavily paraphrased)
Anakin: "I want to go to my mother and help her, but I can't, I'm a jedi and I've been ordered to stay here with you on Naboo."
Padme: "I'm going to Tatooine. You're supposed to protect me, but I'm going whether you go or not."
Yes, he was also good looking, powerful, and hung out with powerful people. He was also flexible, and when boundaries chafed, he found other outlets to resolve conflicts he had. They both had very similar situations where they are boxed in and bounded by various external forces, and both were creative in finding ways to resolve internal and external conflict while still maintaining their standards, or at least appearing to maintain their standards. They were both flexible idealists - both wanting peace and happiness for the universe, both working toward that end with all their ability in their different spheres.
And, finally, he absolutely, openly, and unabashedly adored her. It was he that first suggested they both leave their lives and be together while she resisted, then later as he became more bound up in his path she tried to convince him to do the same. Until he was caught in Palpatine's trap, he would have left everything behind for her. In fact this was the core of the trap - by binding her fate to a belief that Palpatine and the dark side could save her, Palpatine knew Anakin was his.
This, on top of the constant, close contact between the two, outside the reach and influence of others, gave him time to court her and help her develop feelings for him.