You meet. You click. Suddenly, you’re head-over-heels in love. Our word “love” is derived from the ancient Sanskrit lubh, meaning desire, as in lust. But your love is much deeper. You’re also obsessed. You can’t think of anyone—or anything—else. When your eyes meet, your heart skips a beat.

As for the sex—oh, the sex…

But, unfortunately, not for long. A year later you wonder: What happened to that incredible intensity? You still love each other. Truly, you do. You could happily spend the rest of your lives together.

But the special magic you once felt has somehow disappeared. The fireworks are over. The Fourth of July has morphed into Thanksgiving.

Of course, this strange transformation from passionate heat to cozy warmth is nothing new. You’ve experienced it in other relationships. So have all your friends. You tell yourself: That’s just how relationships work. Accept it.

But Helen Fisher, Ph.D., couldn’t accept it. A decade ago, the Rutgers anthropologist wondered: Why do people fall madly in love? Why doesn’t lusty passion last? What Fisher discovered provides intriguing insights into why we love as we do—and how to keep the flame of romance burning bright and hot.

In this article:

• Animal Magnetism
• “Have You Just Fallen Madly In Love?”
• From Mad Love to Long-Term Attachment
• Did We Evolve to Cheat and Divorce?
• Making Long-Term Love Last
• Why We Love

2,000 words MORE…