Ah, there’s nothing quite like new love, we've all been there at one stage or another.
Cloud nine, walking on air, happy as Larry… all of these phrases are applicable to your current mood, now that you’ve found the man/woman of your dreams.
Here’s a few ways to spot those love-struck individuals.
The look of love
If you’re a Disney fan, you’re guaranteed to recognise this character from
Alice in Wonderland. With a huge grin that some might construe as smug, this cat is delighted with life and he doesn’t care who knows it. New couples are much the same in the way they look at each other.
Rose-tinted spectacles
When you’re in the flush of new love and things are going swimmingly, then you tend to look at life with a different view. Everything is just fantastic and things that would ordinarily drive you around the bend don’t have quite the same effect anymore. Please note, this is usually a short-term effect so make the best of it.
Would (insert relevant name here) like this?
You find yourself asking would he/she like it about literally everything, from the weekly grocery shop to a trip to the cinema. Nothing is simple anymore and it’s standard procedure to get worked up about the smallest things during the early days of a new relationship.
You associate him/her with EVERYTHING
Someone asks you if you’d like to go to a gig at the weekend. Chances are your other half has never even heard of the band or the venue but you’ll find some way to link the two. For example, Walking on Cars are playing in Galway’s Roísín Dubh. Your new boyf is from Limerick and lists dance music as his genre of choice. However, you still associate
Don’t Mind Me with him and EVERYTHING about him.
Butterflies in your stomach
We’ve all been there, and even if you’re not currently experiencing that gut-wrenching, stomach curling anticipation that comes at the beginning of a new relationship, you know what we’re talking about. There's the excitement that come with anticipation of the first few dates and nervous butterflies as you attempt to figure out if your new love interest likes you back.
Overly polite…
At the start of a relationship, manners are impeccable, you’ll go out of your way to impress your other half and vice versa. You might find yourself watching soccer/rugby/GAA at the weekend while he sits through yet another romantic comedy at the cinema. Needless to say, this wears off pretty soon, which is a relief for all involved.
Himself/herself…
At the start of a relationship, you refer to him by his name and he does the same with you. Six months down the line you’re considerably more familiar with each other, and himself/herself is what you refer to each other as. Oh, how things change!
Glued to your phone
The sound of your message tone makes you jump in the air and scramble for your phone as if it’s the most important item in the world. Where is he? What is he doing tonight? Does he miss you?! ALL OF THE QUESTIONS. Then comes the deliberation of what to say back. Sure you’re exhausted before you even meet him at all.
Spreading the love
Much like Pharrell, you’re happy and you want to clap along because happiness is the truth. While your new found optimism may prove irksome for your friends, you think life is just fantastic now that you’re found love, to borrow a phrase from Rihanna. Not only that, you want everyone else to feel the love too.
Get a room!
Public displays of affection used to be your number one pet hate but now you're almost (with a huge emphasis on the almost) starting to identify with these amorous couples who can't keep their hands off each other. While you might understand where they're coming from now that you're loved up, you're still able to control yourself. For now...