Many romantically experienced people are quite familiar with the nature of honeymoons. They are some of the most blissful experiences you will every come across while in a relationship.
“Babe, I love you” and “No, I love you more”. And this is typically followed by mutual puckering and the adorable sounds of smacking lips. Okay, so maybe the “lip sounds” are not that adorable. But they sure can be interesting to watch once you put the potential for being a pervert aside. Nevertheless, there are essentially 5 stages to every honeymoon.
Stage 1: “The I love you phase”
In this phase, as seen above, both parties just can’t get enough of each other in any form or fashion. They desire to spend each passing second either conversing on the phone, whispering in each other’s ears, being embraced in each other’s warmth or shamelessly “dipping the stinger in the honey”. Here couples can be like dogs in heat and hopefully you would not be unlucky enough, like some people, to stumble across them having sex on top of YOUR kitchen table.
Stage 2: “The why do you do that phase”
In stage one, both parties view each other as being perfect, even though deep down they know it’s not true. Many things they would ignore—like their partner calling a best friend a donkey—chucking it up to “just kidding”. Then one day said partner makes the same joke and is abruptly questioned about it in an ominous tone. “Why do you do that?”. Yep, consider this the first sign that the most blissful period of a relationship is about to be over. The gates to argumentative hell have been opened!
Stage 3: “The we don’t have to do everything phase”
This stage is the one that can hit really hard if not prepared for it. It happens when one or both partners suddenly realize that the other is not perfect; it also happens when they start feeling as though they are being stifled or lost too much of their individuality. Essentially this generally occurs when one partner stops feeling the need to be smothered to the point that if they have to say, “I love you” one more time they may possibly consider smothering you while you’re asleep with a pillow.
Stage 4: “The I need some space phase”
The fourth stage is the most dangerous of the five stages. It is at this point where things have unquestionably become serious. From either party out of the blue you can randomly hear, “I need some space.” At this junction, the relationship is literally being questioned. As such, what you do or don’t do here will determine if your partner decides to stay with you.
There is no one shoe fits all answer. Some give their partner space and they eventually come around. Others don’t give space and they still come around. However, in both instances the results can go vice versa as well. But one thing that always remains certain is that having someone “love you” by force never makes for the best relationships.
Stage 5: “The this is it phase”
The final stage (for those who make it this far) is arguably the least interesting of the honeymoon period; yet interestingly it can be the most fulfilling. This stage only happens after sufficient time has passed in the relationship, which will vary from couple to couple.
It is here that both partners have seen enough of the best and worst of each other. They can now make a definite decision that they want to stay together … or go separate ways. Either way, it works out because you get the clearest idea where you and the relationship stands. It would be clearest how your life can possibly move forward from that point.
Stages versus forever after
Perhaps the biggest mistake people make in relation to the honeymoon phase is thinking theirs would last forever. Truthfully, no matter how well you connect with someone your relationship will never be the same several years later as it was in the beginning. But this is okay, providing that you understand the exhilarating anxiety you once felt at the start must eventually be superseded by comfort and security. It is only the result of a healthy relationship and the only type that can forever stand the test of time.
