You might have experienced going out on a date in person with someone you met online, and when you finally got to meet them, it’s as if something inside you clicked. You don’t know what that feeling truly is, but you’re immediately drawn to them. Could it be love at first sight?
We’ve all been through this conundrum several times. Is love at first sight an infatuation? Is it fate? Is it destiny? Or maybe we’re just lonely, hormonal, and hopelessly romantic? Is love at first sight real or is it an illusion?
Maybe It’s Just a Feeling
We understand how crazy falling in love at first sight sounds. But truth be told, it can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. It doesn’t only occur in first date meetups, but it also happens when you go into the mall, or at the airport, where you get the universal “airport crush” experience.
According to an article by the Cleveland Clinic, about 60% of individuals experience love at first sight. What’s even more interesting is that it mentioned that if you experienced it once, you are more likely to experience it again. Psychologist Dr. Susan Albers suggests paying attention to any patterns of behavior. If you often fall in love at first sight, she advises taking a step back and evaluating the situation.
It’s funny when you think about it. Falling for someone you’ve never known in your life immediately gets you wanting them. People who don’t flirt will wish they knew how to flirt; guys who are still moving on from their exes suddenly feel like a whole new world has opened up for them to forget about their past; and women get to experience what they read in novels.
It’s a universal experience, falling in love at first sight. Teenagers, adults, even older people get it. Unfortunately, it never happens to some people. That’s because they are skeptical; for them, falling in love requires a series of dates, trials, and tons of verification systems.
Love at First Sight from One Man’s Eyes
To better understand love at first sight, you have to experience it. But how will people who haven’t experienced it know what it is? To answer this question, we asked people about their experiences with love at first sight.
Here’s one that explains it in detail.
“Back in 2023, my then-girlfriend, now ex, and I agreed to meet for a date. We’ve talked casually here and there, but we’ve never actually seen each other in person. She and I don’t have much in common, but we understood that we’re both alike in mentality—I am a man of progressive ideals, she’s a woman of progressive morals, I am into independent women, she’s into self-sustaining men.
We agreed that this is not a date for us to be in a relationship with. I had my issues to deal with, while she was 3 months fresh from a breakup. We knew our limits. We wanted intimacy, not feelings; a friends with benefits type of relationship.
Am I ugly? I often ask myself that, and I always wondered why a cutie like her would go for me. I’m not the most visually appealing man in the world, but then again, there’s always a reason why we gravitate towards people like us. So I guess I’m not.
I was a little late for the date. I hopped on my bike and sped to her place to pick her up. The moment I saw her, I stopped and verified whether it was her. I felt something inside my chest, but I ignored it. We hopped on the bike and headed for our date.
We arrived at the venue, and from the get-go, we clicked as soon as we started talking. My mind was telling me that there was something about her, but I couldn’t tell. I admit, I may have advanced a little too quickly and asked if I could hold her hand, but she was happy I did so.
We waited for the dancefloor to open up, but we got a little too impatient, so we decided to head back to my place. I asked if it was alright with her if we stayed until midnight so we can go back to the place and dance like we planned.
I was so used to the life of a Casanova; women here and there, being attached to no one and strictly being friends with benefits. I am used to being emotionless and being calculated, but that night was different.
I looked at her and wondered, “Is she the one?” I couldn’t help but blush. There was something about her. Her body language and signs of attraction were giving me mixed signals. I felt like I was falling in love with her. In the end, we never got to go back to the dancefloor. We enjoyed each other’s company and nothing really mattered at that point.
Morning came, and we had to say goodbye because I had work. Since we lived a mile and a half away from each other, I asked if she’d like to come to my place at 3 PM later that day, right after my shift. She said yes.
After work, we saw each other again, but this time, my feelings for her went over the top. I had to ask her, “Do you feel something about me?” She told me she’s had a crush on me ever since she first saw me in person.
She confessed to me that she wasn’t sure about her feelings towards me. I blushed and asked her if she really liked me that much. She nodded. So I followed up and asked if she would like to try and be with me. It wasn’t the question I had in mind, but it is what it is. Fortunately, she nodded.
The rest is history. Who would have known? They say you attract what you are, but I guess I could say I attracted what I’ve yearned for. We became lovers because we fell in love at first sight.”
You’ll Never Know Until You Try
Is love at first sight real? If you still can’t answer this question, you’re missing the point. Sometimes, we’re all so caught up with what’s happening in our lives that we tend to shut out any opportunity for love. If you think it’s love at first sight, give it a shot.
Relationships usually develop when someone is familiar with the other and they gain a mutual liking for each other. Being in a relationship because of love at first glance is rare. You’re fortunate enough to experience it yourself.
Reference:
Cleveland Clinic. 2023. “When Sparks Fly: How To Navigate Falling in Love at First Sight.” Love at First Sight: Is It Real? https://health.clevelandclinic.org/love-at-first-sight.