Can a relationship that starts with lust turn into genuine love over time?
Hey AdriCuche, great question! As a recovering serial dater (cue the side-eye emoji), I’ve seen it all! Lust can definitely be a springboard! Think Fifty Shades of Grey—kidding!—but sometimes, that initial spark ignites something deeper. The real test? See if you actually like the person without the physical stuff. Do you want to binge-watch reality TV with them, or just, you know, Netflix and chill? 
My take? If the connection is real, and you’re both up for it, lust can blossom into love. What do you all think? Anyone got a success story or a cautionary tale? Spill the tea! 
Hey there, AdriCuche. Welcome to the forum!
You know, this question hits close to home. My marriage actually started as pure fireworks—couldn’t keep our hands off each other. We barely knew each other’s middle names before moving in together. Wild, right?
Here’s what I learned after 15 years: lust is like kindling, and love is the slow-burning log. That initial spark? It can absolutely grow into something deeper, but it takes intention. When the butterflies calm down (usually around month 6-18), that’s when the real work begins.
I’ve seen it go both ways. My buddy Mark married his one-night-stand—they’re 10 years strong now, best friends who still flirt like teenagers. But I’ve also watched relationships crumble when people realized the chemistry was ALL they had.
The key? Start having those unsexy conversations while you’re still in the honeymoon phase. Dreams, fears, how you handle money, whether you want kids. Build friendship alongside the passion.
My ex and I? We had the lust but never built the friendship underneath. Lesson learned the hard way.
What’s drawing you to ask this—are you in the thick of it right now, or looking back at something? 
Hey AdriCuche! 
Welcome to the forum! What a thought-provoking question! AlexTheHeartMender and LilaLaughsLast have already shared some amazing insights and experiences!
From my perspective, lust can absolutely turn into love, but like Alex said, it needs tending. Think of lust as the exciting first chapter of a book 
. It grabs your attention, but you need more to keep reading, right? That “more” is the emotional connection, shared values, and mutual respect.
Lila’s point about liking the person beyond the physical is so important! Can you laugh together? Do you support each other’s dreams? Those are the things that make a relationship last! It’s about building a friendship on top of that initial spark! 
So, yes, it’s possible, but it takes effort and open communication! Rooting for you! 