You two are going to get married. You're testing out his last name with your first name to see if it fits. You're smiling every time the phone vibrates because you think it's him. You don't want to get your hopes up logically, but it feels like real love. My man my man my man... looking ass.

Is it because the dick's good? Is it because this man is teaching you new things? Is it because you finally feel secure? Is it because this man checks all the boxes you've been craving since you were a teenager?

Or is it all delusion?

Answer: It's a mixture of all of that.

Modern relationships move fast. Just vibing turns into being up under each other every weekend. Sex. Promises. Soul Ties. Then, a few months later, your texts are being ignored, and "busy" is the excuse they use to slowly break away from you. It felt like love, but it wasn't. That's the price you pay when you don't take your time in the Honeymoon stage.

How Long Does the Honeymoon Phase Last?

For women in their mid to late 20's, the honeymoon phase in a relationship usually lasts between 3 to 18 months. For women in their 35+, it's usually shorter, 2 to 9 months, because those women tend to date older men who move faster, which means their "nice guy mask" comes off sooner, or their "Nah, I can do better" ego arrives sooner.

First Stage of the Honeymoon Phase: Damn, I can't believe I finally found someone who gets me.

Second Stage of the Honeymoon Phase: Wow, even though we went through our first argument or rough patch, he still feels like the one.

Final Stage of the Honeymoon Phase: All of our cards are on the tables, and we've seen each other at our best and at our worst.

If it's just sex, men pull back during that first stage: I've hit. I was good. I hit a few more times. The lust is gone. Now I realize I'm not that into her personality or her lifestyle.

If there is an emotional disconnect, this usually happens during that second stage. A man thinks like this: It's not about sex, it's about finding someone who gets me. While this woman and I have things in common, the deeper things I need to see in a wife —Temperament. Excitement. Balance between knowing how to show me love and knowing how to give me space... is NOT there.

You Two Aren't Going To Last...

The reason most of your relationships end at the end of the honeymoon stage instead of pushing on into real love isn't as complex as you think. No matter if it's 3 months or 18 months. If you hit that Final Stage and this man finds out that who you are has been a lie, he walks away. Or he self-sabotages the relationship and forces you to break up first.