How many stages of dating are there?

There are 4 predictable stages that couples experience in a dating relationship. At each stage, there is often a decision (sometimes more thoughtfully arrived at than others) to move forward or to end the relationship. Some stages take longer than others to go through and some people take much longer at each stage.

Do all relationships go through stages?

Every relationship, like every individual, is unique. Regardless of the path one chooses when it comes to romantic relationships—whether its down the aisle or across continents—the inherent stages of love and attachment essentially remain the same.