In the first three months he called me every day. Sent good morning and good night messages without fail. Told me I was the most interesting person he had ever met. Made plans months ahead. Told me he loved me after five weeks.
It felt like a film. I kept telling friends "I think I found someone different." I felt chosen. I felt seen.
By month six the calls had become sporadic. The compliments had turned into criticism. When I pointed out the shift he said I was too needy. That no one could live up to the impossible standards I was now holding him to — the standards he had set.
I didn't have language for what had happened until my therapist said the words "love bombing" and something clicked. The intensity wasn't connection — it was a strategy. Whether conscious or not.
I share this because I was not naive. I was not new to relationships. I was a grown adult who got completely swept up in it. If this is your experience — please know the confusion you're feeling is part of it. You didn't miss obvious signs. The whole point is that you weren't supposed to.