Love at First Sight?

For over three thousand years philosophers and scholars have attempted to understand and define the enigmatic emotion of love.  In the late 1990s, American market researcher, a man we will refer to as Doctor Love (Doctor L for short) for present purposes (I read his book on this subject from cover to cover), interviewed 1,495 people across America, by phone, whose answers to questions on their views about 'love at first sight' were tape recorded, documented, and statistically analyzed.  On this topic, according to Doctor Love, we perceive our environment, and the inclusive 'potentials' in that environment, through our senses of sight, smell, touch, and even hearing.  He contends that it is sensory information that triggers the chemical reaction of love.  He further, and more specifically, concluded that nearly two-thirds of the population believes in love at first sight; that of the believers, more than half have experienced it; that fifty-five percent of those who experience love at first sight married the object of their affection, and that three-quarters of those who married as a result of love at first sight have stayed married well over the national average. In a nutshell, this means, approximately, that twenty percent of people will fall in love at first sight, solely by the operation of a visual field particles stimulus (photons), marry that person, and that of those people, three-fourths will stay married better than the national average. 
         Hogwash!  Is there such a thing as love at first sight?  I would have to answer yes.  Doctor Love would tell you that 'love at first sight' is a chemical reaction in the human brain which is not only powerful but also addictive.  I believe he is partially correct.  I speak from experience when I say that love at first sight is actually an adolescent and precarious force of nature that is based upon carnal instincts that cannot be trusted.  Doctor Love only proves that point by stating that males and females alike are most apt to experience 'love at first sight' between the ages of sixteen and twenty – a time when we are all hormonally supercharged.  I believe I've been consumed by 'love at first sight' twice in my lifetime (the first time I was sixteen years old, kudos to Dr. L.).  Though neither of those relationships ended well, I assure you, they did end.  I was rung through an emotional ringer by the first; married, cheated on, and divorced by the second.  Twice in a lifetime was plenty for me.  Thank you.  It seems like such a romantic concept though, doesn't it?:  two people fancy each other from across a crowded room...their eyes meet...and fireworks commence!  Yes, it really does work that way...though at sixteen the fireworks are primarily in our pants.  But the 'they lived happily ever after' part of this equation...well, that's the part I am understandably skeptical about.  Why did I choose to act on such instincts after the first fiasco?  The reasoning still evades me.  I wonder if the good doctor could explain it to me.          
         After my second 'love at first sight' debacle(I must note here that if Mr. Love’s research were entirely accurate, there would have been no second debacle), and countless relationships that I don't care to think about, much less discuss, I had come to the inevitable conclusion that there was no such thing as a 'good man.'  That was entirely and simply...a contradiction in terms.  Sadly, I had become bittered and repulsed by any and all romantic notions of 'eternal love' or 'love at first sight.'  I was thirty-seven years old and had yet to meet a man who could refrain from lying every time he spoke, or didn't define monogamy as a type of wood.  The great lengths that men will go to in order to deceive, if for no other reason than to experience yet another woman in the sack, never ceases to amaze me.  I am curious to know the doctor’s logic on that one.
         Finally, after wading through a virtual sea of cretins for the better part of my nearly forty years, I have met the man of my dreams.  Much to my surprise, he does exist.  And while Doctor L may swear that 'love at first sight' is the recipe for success, I was not in love with my prince the first time I laid eyes on him.  At this point in my life, I judge that as a good sign.  As a matter of fact, the first time I saw him, I was overcome only by wild intrigue and a hormonal response brought on by visual stimuli – his magnificent physique and handsome face being the spark.  To coin a more technical and noteworthy phrase for the biological process that took place...he made me horny (the doc would be proud).  He was, and still is, a blond, well built specimen of a man with the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever had the pleasure of staring into...the strong silent type...not at all my type.  Another good sign.  No, it wasn't love at first sight, and no, my 'prince charming' did not charge up on his white steed, draw his sword, and sweep me off my feet.  But he did give me a ride on a vintage motorcycle (on which I would gladly ride off into the sunset)...does that count?
         If love at first sight is truly an instinct of sorts, then it chooses our mates based on appealing physical characteristics.  According to Doctor Love, for some women, wealth in itself is a trait sufficient enough to offset shortcomings in other areas...such as physical appearance, common ground, or intellect.  Here again, I believe he is partially correct.  I don't particularly need or want a rich man...I would never belittle myself as to marry for money the way I've seen so many women do.  My lifestyle does not necessitate wealth.  I only demand to survive, to be happy, and to be truly loved.  When love is genuine, it encompasses all things that happiness entails.  No chemical response necessary to know that I had found my prince.  Yes, he was physically appealing to me – but it wasn't love at first sight (lust perhaps).  And he's not a wealthy fellow – but we have what we need...and I feel loved.  So, what does love at first sight have to do with long term happiness?  As far as I can tell...not a damn thing!  It is my firmly held belief (though I question at this point how much weight my beliefs hold), that you will get further, in life and love, if you use your intellect mixed with just a touch of intuition...basic instincts be damned!
         My final thought on Doctor Love’s research?  Should you happen to experience 'love at first sight' I have only one piece of advice...run!  Prince Charming will be along shortly.