| Typically relationships have casual beginnings. It may | | | | Regardless, you have discovered that you want this |
| start with a first look in which your eyes meet and | | | | person in your life forever. Your skin tingles at their |
| you feel a sense of connection. That is the initial | | | | touch and you are ready for the commitment. You |
| feeling of attraction. In most cases we will need a | | | | find your new partner attractive in ways that you |
| little time to determine if the attraction is real. This | | | | never imagined possible before. This attraction goes |
| may only be a matter of minutes or even seconds | | | | much deeper than physical appearances. |
| but nonetheless our minds need time to access the | | | | Suddenly you are freely using the word love and |
| situation. | | | | talking about long-term plans. You will probably by |
| Next you have a face-to-face interaction. This | | | | now be spending nights and even weekends |
| provides an opportunity to find out how it feels to | | | | together. This 'practice' time together is beneficial in |
| be around the new person and if the conversations | | | | lots of ways. Of course there is the obvious fact |
| flow. If all goes well the attraction will deepen and | | | | that you have the time together, but even more |
| you will begin thinking more and more about him or | | | | importantly you have an opportunity to see how well |
| her. | | | | you get along for extended periods of time. |
| This is the time that you should begin building a | | | | You get to see what it is like to sleep with that |
| friendship. Take time to learn all you can about the | | | | person and wake up next to them. You will see them |
| person. Capitalize on the things you have in common. | | | | at their best and at their worst. This is an important |
| Use those things as ways to create bonds and fun | | | | component in determining if a long-term relationship |
| times together. | | | | with this person is right for you. |
| If it has not already happened it is likely that you will | | | | The next step for many couples is that of moving in |
| begin to feel lust for this person. By lust I am | | | | together. Again, this can be an important step to a |
| referring to the desire for a physical relationship. You | | | | life-long commitment. It gives you the opportunity to |
| think about how their arms feel around you and how | | | | try the waters out before you consider marriage. |
| wonderful their kisses are. You may spend time | | | | Although you will find bumps in the road along the |
| daydreaming about your intimate encounters. | | | | way if your relationship is a solid one you will discover |
| Next you discover that you are in love with the | | | | that the bumps only strengthen your commitment to |
| person. You may wonder when exactly the feelings | | | | one another. The friendship that is the foundation of |
| moved from friendship and admiration to that of love | | | | your relationship will carry you through those difficult |
| and desire. In reality this can all happen very, very | | | | times and you will come out on the other side holding |
| quickly or it can take what seems to be a long period | | | | one another's hands. |
| of time. | | | | |