I just finished reading the first three books of Twilight series for the very first time during winter break.

I know a lot of people love the series, but I have to say it took me a couple chapters at the beginning to settle in. The main reason was how over-the-top and dramatic Bella Swan is. I mean, I know she loves him, but can she stop using “perfect” to describe Edward all the time?! Don’t you think that’s a little too much and unrealistic Bella Swan?!

But boy oh boy, little did I know, that’s exactly how one feels when they fall in love.

Here are the six ways Bella Swan truthfully, though very cliché indeed, shows us feeling head-over-heels for someone.

1. Over-analyzing

Bella initially thinks her smelling bad is the reason Edward can’t seem to stand being near her. Think back to when you first notice that special someone, did you ever over-analyze every single thing they did? If they seem upset or annoyed around you, your head would start spinning, thinking it might be your fault that they’re not happy! Just like Bella thinks she upsets Edward at first, but it turns out, it’s only because Edward is too attracted to her. Did you ever find out your special someone actually looked so serious because they are so into you?

2. Absolutely star-struck

I think Bella seriously needs a pair of sunglasses to hide her heart-shaped eyes whenever she sees Edward. She seems unable to see him as anything less than “perfect.” She looks at him as if he is some kind of celebrity. Let me just say, don’t we all think our special someone is absolutely the best person on this planet? All of a sudden, our eyes cannot see anyone else but them?

3. Heart racing and face burning

You know that’s NOT a lie! Every time Edward comes near Bella or kisses her, she’d emphasize how her heart beats so fast and face blushes so hard. I used to think that’s a bit dramatic and only exist in fictions. But things have changed for me. Pounding heart and burning cheeks is probably the most telltale sign of someone in love.

4. Questioning

When Bella finally gets together with Edward, her poor soul still can’t get peace. She starts questioning herself and his love. You know that feeling. Somewhere along the way, you start to think how can you be so lucky that a boy like him would notice or even like a girl like you?

You feel so ordinary standing next to him, no matter how many times he tells you how special you are to him. Then, you start comparing yourself to every girl around him and realize that you’re really very ordinary. This must be some kind of cosmic joke or mistake, right?

5. Obsessing

Bella is probably the queen of obsession. She literally has Edward around her about 24/7 non-stop. He “picks her up” in the morning and goes to the same classes with her.

Then, he drives her back home and hangs out until she needs to sleep. He goes out the front door, because Bella’s dad is watching, but then immediately climbs in her room through the window. When she goes to sleep, he’s there with her throughout the night. All because Bella wants him to be there.

Well, let’s hope our special someone is not a vampire who doesn’t need sleep. But don’t we all wish to spend every second possible with that person? Your very last thought before falling asleep and very first though after opening your eyes are that special person. You simply can’t get them out of your mind.

Remember when Bella finally sees Edward when they come back together from Italy, she fights so hard to stay awake with him? Yah, I bet she isn’t lying about that, either. When you finally get to spend time with them (e.g., FaceTime, finally seeing each other after long separation), don’t you fight with your body to keep awake for as long as you can, because you treasure every moment with your special someone?

6. Loving more

I can’t remember how many times in the series, Edward tells Bella how much he loves her, and then she’d return by saying she loves him more. This conversation never ends between them. When we’re in love, don’t we all feel like we love the other person more? We feel like they don’t love us nearly as much as we love them. No matter what the other person say, we simply feel like they don’t understand just how much we love them!

Remember, I’m only acknowledging that Bella Swan maybe isn’t so extra in terms of falling in love. But, staying in love is a different story. You may lose the aching and electrocuting passion you feel for the other person at first.

Yet, staying in love requires you to choose this special person time and time again, even when they start to annoy you, piss you off, or send you over the edge. At the same time, you feel more and more sure about yourself, and so stop doubting.

People don’t just fall in love. They choose to stay in love when the love changes from a dumbfounding waterfall to a peaceful stream.

The two are different but also equally beautiful.