[baboosaa]

can anybody fall in love at first sight?

[Travelinglady]

No. It's more likely lust. However, you can see whether there is attraction and whether the person seems to be a good match. "Love" is after all is said and done more "action" than "feeling."

It's important to spend time to get to know a person. I know occasionally whirl-wind relationships work out, but I would say they are rare.

[laughattack]

I think one can have a chemical reaction at first sight. But, I agree with the above poster that love is a choice, an action. Yeah, love can be defined as feelings for someone, but ultimately it's commitment that counts.

[BonnieG2010]

yes absolutely

i don't know if that love will last, but you can be thunderstruck on spot.
it has happened to many.

I was not left motionless nor speechless, but I felt something I never felt before. And it was the first time we met.
:-)

Originally Posted by PAYNE1

No. It's more likely lust. However, you can see whether there is attraction and whether the person seems to be a good match. "Love" is after all is said and done more "action" than "feeling."

It's important to spend time to get to know a person. I know occasionally whirl-wind relationships work out, but I would say they are rare.

This. Love is not how you feel. Love isn't that butterflies in the stomach feeling, that, is infatuation. Love is what you do after that initial excitement, passion and feelings subside a little. When you keep on going and keep on caring for that person, you are loving that person.

[Poppy Princess]

Love is when the marriage is no longer interesting

[Grey Matter]

Love at first sight doesn't seem to be a possible thing.

[Thorn Bird]

Love at first sight is usually a powerful chemistry that you feel - sometimes this chemistry matures and develops to become love but love is not just a feeling - it is action and commitment and real love grows as it changes into something deeper.

[PeachCream22]

Well that depends on how you define "love". Is it the nervousness, or thinking that someone is good-looking and you would like to get to know them better?

Of course getting to know someone well isn't just a one-step process. It takes time, and willingness to commit, as the above posters said. Yes, it's possible to want to get to know someone better, after all, but falling in love, personally, i think only takes a longer time, once you get to know that person better, know all about their flaws and still want them in your life LOL sorry getting off topic a bit. haha hope this helped.

[kykid]

I can only tell you what happened to me. I walked into work one day in 1986 and saw my future wife who had just started work in my department. When I saw her there was a little voice in my head that said, "There is the girl you are going to marry".

We became friends initially. This lasted until we went on our first date in December 1987. I proposed in May 1988 and we married in October 1989. We will celebrate our 24th anniversary in a few days, have a wonderful daughter who turned 20 this year, and I believe we will remain married until one of us passes away. Our life together has not been all bliss- I don't think anyone could endure that. We have had our struggles with my bipolar disorder and other challenges but have grown closer during these periods of stress.

I can say without doubt that love at first sight does happen because it happened to me.

[Poppy Princess]

How about love at last sight? I've felt that before.

[Citrine]

I used to truly believe that we could, we did. I used to think that `oh my cod' eyes across the room was love. That when we felt it no matter what, we were fated to be with that person as they were `the one' I have finally learned all these yrs later and a few `the ones' that it is lust. Sorry Poppy, didnt mean to be a pooper. I feel so free now I dont hang onto the hope that elusive love exists. I can watch Superman (again) and be realistic about the possibilty of ever meeting Henry Cavill lol. Or maybe it happens for some but not everyone.

[RomanSunburn]

The first time I remember seeing my now husband was in high school and I was feeling like an odd ball because all my friends were raving about their crushes and I didn't have one. Well, he walked by me in the hallway one day and I thought, "I could have a crush on him" (because, clearly, I had control over this...). I didn't love him, though, for another 4 or 5 years at least.

That doesn't really answer your question, or if it does, gives it a no. But I think there can be some sort of connection the first time you see a person, but it can be a wide range. It's kind of like meeting someone and knowing that person is going to turn into a good friend.

[laughattack]

Okay, I think we've had a variety of experiences, examples, and opinions. I think seeing someone for the first time and saying that's the guy/gal I'm going to marry does happen. We've heard here that it happens.

But I want to share that one can have the same experience, say the same thing, and even marry that person. But the marriage doesn't work out.

I think in either case, it is not magic at work. But hard work at work. And human choices at work.

[BonnieG2010]

love at first sight won't know if he or she is married
it may happen, if you meet somebody later in life

it is love, but you may not be able to live it

still, it is love

[laughattack]

It depends on how one defines love. I don't generally define love as a feeling.

[BonnieG2010]

love is something you feel, very strongly, for someone
that is love

[avlady]

I do believe in it!!!

[laughattack]

Originally Posted by BonnieG2010

love is something you feel, very strongly, for someone
that is love

I agree that that can be a component of love. But, for me, it could never be a complete definition of love, because if it was, I would cheating myself out of other aspects that love is. Such as seeking the highest good of the one I love. Such as setting aside my own wants, needs to fulfill those of another. Such as choosing to remain committed to someone when those feelings you speak of, however strong, are diminished or perhaps no longer there.

[BonnieG2010]

Originally Posted by laughattack

I agree that that can be a component of love. But, for me, it could never be a complete definition of love, because if it was, I would cheating myself out of other aspects that love is. Such as seeking the highest good of the one I love. Such as setting aside my own wants, needs to fulfill those of another. Such as choosing to remain committed to someone when those feelings you speak of, however strong, are diminished or perhaps no longer there.

this is a relationship you are describing
a strong, dedicated relationship
full of love, maybe
and i do so wish you

but love does not only exist in marital-like relationship
if the feeling of love is not what you mean by 'love', that's your choice
but love is a feeling, for me

and that feeling does not apply only to lifelong companions but to lots and lots of people we have in our lives, thank God!!

[laughattack]

This is why the original question is tricky to answer: what does the OP mean by love.

English is bereft of vocabulary for this. I'm reminded of CS Lewis's Four Types of Love or Four Kinds of Love. Not that I agree with everything he writes.

But even Eros implies more than just feelings.

I don't know what you mean by Love = Feelings

That sounds like infatuation to me, since you also say (I think) that these feelings you mention are experienced on their own, outside the context of a relationship.

Oh, and by the way, I don't think that love can exist outside of a relationship.

[Poppy Princess]

So, you're saying people who've never had relationships can't feel love? That's nice to know.

[SilverNeurotic]

I think certain people do have a automatic connection to one another, it certainly feels like love because that connection is so strong...but I think it's a mistake that a lot of people (myself included), have fallen for.