The Four Normal Stages of a Relationship

1. The New Love

This is the love that romance novels are written about.
It’s exciting and seems like the most important thing in your life.
Constant need to prove you are in love through time spent together and exclusiveness of relationship.

2. Mature Love Begins

You have proven to each other that you love each other, you don’t have to keep proving it.
Your love is shown by dependability, trust, respect and honesty.
You begin to get the rest of your life back

Do your relationships commonly end at one of these points?

3. Looking to a Future Together

Reconciled that life is not about non-stop romance and enjoy meaningful tenderness.
Some little things that were “cute” in the beginning of the relationship are acknowledged and accepted or adjusted e.g. going out every Friday night with the guys or gals; being completely inept in the kitchen.
Begin to realize and accept every one is an individual with strengths and weaknesses.
Acknowledge annoying traits, try to gently help partner change, or accept that this is one of the less likable aspects of your partner.

Do your relationships commonly end at this point?

4. Decide You’re Happy Together

After you’ve been with your partner a while, you truly are best friends.
You’ve made it through good and bad times.
You trust each other that you won’t run off if things get bad - you know you’re in it for the long haul.
You’ve seen each other at your best, and you’ve seen each other at your worst.
You know you’re both not perfect and you want to work to improve.

Fisher, Helen E., “Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love,” Henry Holt & Company, 2004

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