I've only ever been in one real relationship. It was nice but I never said 'I love you' because I never knew if I did. I enjoyed hanging out with her and being with her but how do I know if it ever went into love. That relationship ended about six years ago and I've only been in a few dates since then. Now I struggle to feel any real romantic connection as quick as others seem to. Went on a few dates with a girl back in January - February. She wanted to be "boyfriend/girlfriend" after the second date and I said that was too quick for me and then she wanted to stop seeing each other. Is there something wrong with me? Am I just incapable of feeling love or am I misunderstanding what it actually feels like?
Love is the moment you realize the person you're with isn't just fun to be around, but that they make your life better on a fundamental level. It's when you're at your lowest and the first thing you want is to be with that person, when you truly feel like their presence will make things better for you. It's the realization that even when you two fight, even when they drive you up the wall and you fantasize about getting out, deep down you know you don't really want to be apart because you don't want to be without them specifically. It's not just fear of being alone, it's fear of being without that person.When the rush wears off and you still feel warm and comfortable with them, that is love. Experiencing true love requires a leap of faith, to allow yourself to be vulnerable like you've never been before. To truly trust someone in ways that can be downright terrifying, and hope to god they accept you as you are. It is a gradual buildup to getting to that point, a series of small awkward moments that help guide you to taking the big leap. And when you do, if they're really the one for you, you'll be rewarded with true, deep love.
>>33834869Damn that sounds nice. I hope I can experience that with someone.
>>33834878You will. I know it can seem hopeless or unfair at times, but so long as you are open to the possibility of love and are willing to try and build your way to that big leap of faith, you will find love. The worst thing you could ever do is close yourself off and convince yourself that love is not real, or that it's not for you.
>>33835099Makes sense it's just hard not to become jaded today, especially getting older. There's just fewer opportunities to meet others before you can even start to think about dating, let alone love.
>>33834869I had this once but it couldn't work because our lives were too different. God knows I'll never have it again. My heart is empty now. I will die alone.
>>33836294If it happened once why don't you think it's possible to feel again?
>>33836938That's fair I guess. What made this time so special though is that it wasn't with a new person, it was someone I knew for half my life, so there was a lot of familiarity and understanding that just came so naturally.
>>33838189I get that. The one serious relationship that I mentioned was with a friend I'd known for years and it felt like "if not with her than would I ever find love". But if you've felt it before you know it's possible and it can totally happen with someone else.
>>33834789moids are always horny and always hate women.try being each other's problem
>>33838586Have you ever been in love? If so how could you tell? If not, what do you think was lacking?
>>33838540Sigh, you're ultimately right. Thank you for the kind words and thank you for sharing your experience as well. There's hope for both of us yet, anon.
>>33838775WAGMI someway, somehow
