The stages - #2, Attraction

Eventually, Lust gives way to attraction. Lust is brief, attraction lasts quite a bit longer. The definition is as follows:a : the act, process, or power of attracting b : personal charm 2 : the action or power of drawing forth a response : an attractive quality 3 : a force acting mutually between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation.

I like that. Resisting their separation. Nicely put dictionary.com! With attraction, there is something more settling involved. Parties know that the lust is there and they decide to proceed to the next level. Chemicals are still being exchanged, but at a much lesser rate than what happened in the Lust stage. With this next level comes clarity, communication, and commitment. Now is where you can settle down, trust and know that two people are building on a foundation toward the same goal. The goals have to be assessed and reassessed and discussed, and chewed on, spit out, and revisited again. But in the end, there is a clear understanding to the questions "What are we, and where are we headed?" There is vulnerability in this stage because your heart is open to giving and receiving love. When something is open, there is chance of infection setting in, but... there is also chance for the love of a lifetime. That exhalation, that whew, I am me and you are you and we are we - let's do this. This is stage two, attraction. It's deeper than lust but not yet at the third and deepest level: Attachment.