Kaneland math teacher Susan Acksel is known for her unique approaches to teaching numbers and equations, but she has a life outside of the classroom too. Acksel is a mother of three and has been married to her husband for 15 years. 

Acksel and her husband met at a party when they were both 16 years old, however at the time there was no romantic connection. Over time they lost touch with one another, but sometimes they would see each other at different gatherings and talk. After they both got divorced, they shared a mutual friend who set them up. They were in their mid-30s when they found each other again and had a romantic spark. Honestly, they don’t think they would have been compatible if they had dated at 16. They believe that the reason they found each other and worked out this time was because of maturity, growing up and having different perspectives on life. 

The psychology of relationships and love is a very broad but relevant topic in today’s culture. People frequently wonder whether or not it is possible to discover your soulmate at first sight. And if that happens, will the love last?

With the help of multiple polls and research to understand the possibility of love at first sight, it becomes easier to understand. According to Kristen Roye, a psychologist and staff member of verywellmind “love at first sight” is a powerful neurotransmitter that produces a sense of euphoria. We can develop an intense attraction involving hormones and neurochemical reactions that motivate people to seek closeness with another person. 

English teacher Ashley Anderson has been married for 16 years while balancing life with her three children and pursuing her passion of teaching reading and writing to her students.

¨When we refer to love at first sight, we are acknowledging biological elements because we can recognize something as unconscious,¨ Anderson said. ¨Genetically, we can understand when there is a compliment in front of us.¨

Research around the psychology of relationships has significantly progressed over time. Psychologists have found that there are multiple effective ways to create and maintain a happy and healthy relationship. In order to build a strong relationship, both partners need to be honest, trustworthy, respectful and communicative. According to Joanna Pantazi, owner of Youinverse Therapy, the five keys of mindful adult relationships are attention, acceptance, appreciation, allowance and affection. 

Anderson explains that there are multiple important factors to maintain a happy and healthy relationship. Don’t misinterpret things, always communicate expectations, remember that humor is important, include some element of play, root each other on and always communicate your visions.

As the years have passed and time has changed, relationships have too in various ways. Technology and social media have had a large impact on relationships, communication and love.

The emergence of online dating has significantly changed friendships and relationships for teenagers and young adults. For some, dating has become both easier and complicated at the same time. As social media and online dating apps like Tinder and Hinge have become more popular in society, people have begun to question whether relationships and the concept of love are evolving. 

Social studies teacher Daniel Ferrel comes from a life of education and helping his students in a variety of ways.

¨The increase of use of technology in real life has definitely increased the amount of communication that you have with someone, even if it isn’t face to face,¨ Ferrel said. ¨The ability to be able to contact anyone has changed the dynamic of many relationships.¨

The concept of love and lust are commonly misunderstood and misused in the dating world. Although they may sound and appear similar, these two words hold entirely different meanings.

According to a contributor of Healthline Wellness newsletter Gabrielle Kassel, love refers to a particular emotional attachment you may have towards your partner or someone in your life. Lust may refer to a common emotion that might be based on attraction. 

Acksel continues to teach and help students throughout multiple levels of math while balancing life as a wife and a mother of three. 

¨I think lust is a temporary situation. With love, you are in it for the long haul,¨ Acksel said. ¨You take both the good and the bad, and you work through what needs to be worked through.¨

For some, when they are a part of a relationship, they rely on their significant other to a certain extreme, whether physically or emotionally. It gets to the point where they build an emotional attachment to their significant other.

We tend to think of attachment as something that is positive, loving, caring, compassionate, trusting and supportive. The stronger attachments can become negative, which can gradually turn into anger, blame and criticism driven by fear of abandonment. 

“From my understanding, there are healthy and secure attachments, Anderson said. “There are some people, because of their relationships they formed in their childhood and adolescence, they are maybe avoidant or anxious. “It’s always helpful to try to understand why someone is operating the way they are, because all of us want to be seen and we want to be loved.”