The initial few months of a new relationship are joyful, elating… and a mite frightening.  You debate what is going on, if this sweetheart is the perfect mate, and if your bond will be everlasting.  While I can’t in good conscience promise you what the future has planned for your relationship aspect of your life, I can help you look for the symptoms that you are falling in love.

Initially, falling in love resembles being on a mind-altering substance.  You experience a feeling of being completely at ease or a feeling of unbridled happiness. This feeling has been likened to the rush you get after eating candy or after a vigorous cardio session.  You can’t stop thinking about the person pretty much every minute and you truly wish to know everything you can about them.  You wish they were around you always, and the more days you share with them, the happier you are. 

An aspect of the initial stage of falling head over heels is an increased worry about how the other person sees you.  You concern yourself with them liking most of your looks, and whether they consider you desirable.  You also worry about how they view your character.  You hope to be attractive, likeable, and desirable to that person in every way.  To reciprocate, you consider them more suitable than other possible mates.  Small things about that special person, things you may not normally notice, suddenly seem very attractive.

As the courtship continues, the euphoria wears off.  In place of it, the relationship starts to settle into a soothing pattern, and now and then tensions happen.  Despite how negative that sounds, now is where your true colors show.  Common regular items and situations will make you remember that special person, linked to detailed happy memories.  You always want to protect your significant other from harm, both in body and in psyche. Falling love means that you are willing to take their pain from them and bear it yourself.  You will be aware of their wants and desires when you deliberate choices.  For instance, you will adjust your traditional special recipe to delight his taste before he mentions it, or suggest to go with her to a movie you will not like, just to see her eyes light up.

Finally, the best sign that you are definitively completely, head-over-heels, incredibly in love is when you can live with all of the other’s quirks.  You certainly can’t be expected to favor every aspect of their personality, but you can deal with their ’blemishes’ as an aspect of what composes the entire desirable person you care so very much about.  Even when you get in a tiff with your significant other, you still wouldn’t trade this loved one in for a different person.  You would rather spend more of your quality time with them than any other person, and you feel like the best possible version of yourself when you enjoy each other’s company. Voila! It must be love!

Criss White is a freelance writer for love and wedding related  subjects.  For other articles or heart wedding favors, visit Bridal and Wedding Favors.