Stages of Love Theory

After the unexpected success of my bestfriend theory, I now shall reveal a theory i've been contemplating on for quite sometime. Now that i'm 21, I'm an official nonbeliever of soulmates, of fate as the ultimate determinant of one's future and of love at first sight. In the past, i had a firm stand that i will not settle for anything less than mutual love. But now that im older and hopefully, wiser.. i believe that falling in love is just a matter of timing. A matter of persuasion and of weighing your options. These are the possible stages.

1. PWEDE Stage: This level is that first moment that one rests his/her eyes on another. Kumbaga sa Takeshi's Castle, ito un pinakamadali pero critical na stage. I suggest that one should have an open mind 'bout the possibilities. Yeah, i do believe that attraction, specifically physical, is a very persuasive trait, but we must also remeber that "Familiarity" extinguishes any trace of ugliness. Aminin nyo, meron kayong mga friends ngayon na nung unga nyons nakita ay napangitan kayo,pero dahil lagi mo kasama, you have come to a reformation (or in your friend's case, a transformation). He's not that ugly after all. Harsh na kung harsh but...

2. Magisip-isip Stage: Assuming that everyone's PWEDE in the first level, we have our own non-negotiables. For example, mine will be language proficiency in ENglish. Some think that they have quite a number of non-negotiables but in reality, the normal number'll be with a max of 3. Yeah, some dont have non-negotiables. During this stage, love isnt really there yet, what we have are KILIG moments.

3. I Dont Think So Stage: This is where we do a lot of thinking. This is the Devil's Advocate stage, you start analyzing what you don't like about the person. Di mo gusto un hair nya, di mo gusto na he doesnt take you seriously, di mo gusto un cologne nya. YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS STAGE! This is where most of the spinsters get stuck in.

4. Looking at the Brighter Side Stage: This is where you start coming up with the positive traits that will offset the negative traits that you noticed in the preceding stage. Magulo nga un hair nya pero you love the feel of your hands on his hair... Mejo wala siya sense of fashion pero you love his eyes, his smile, his ideas....

5. The Bahala Na / Ewan Stage: This is the "passive" part of the process. The "nakakasawa" stage when the spark seems to have gone out the window. Nagkakatamaran na. It is very important that you guys are now constantly dating or at least spending time with each other because it will lead you to the most romantic and magical stage of all stages...

6. Can This Be Love Stage: The idea of going into a relationship is just all of a sudden too irresistible. This is where the "fishing for commitment" conversations begin to be rampant. Un mga usapan tungkol sa nakakasawang paghihintay sa tunay na pag-ibig, un mga "i love it when you're around" lines na ang naririnig... This is where you'll find yourself daydreaming about your "future" as a couple. If after this stage you guys are still arent sure, then you're off to a hopeless journey.

7. May Iba pa Naman Stage: This is where the end of your "what seemed to be" budding romance is coming to a bittersweet end. You're beginning to notice the new cute guy in Starbs, of the yummy guy sa Library... Your usually inhabited mind with thoughts of him/her is distracted by other men/ women.

8. Paalam na Stage: Need i say more?

At any stage in the process, you may decide to get committed and from these MAIN STAGES a new set of stages may emerge. And just like my BESTFRIEND THEORY, it is a cycle... until you find that someone who will break the cycle with you. =)