In spring 1997, an article appeared in the UOL research magazine EINBLICKE that still arouses great interest today: "Love and being in love" by Prof Dr Ulrich Mees. In 2022 alone, the article was accessed online 14,716 times, making it the record holder among all EINBLICKE articles.

Mees has conducted various studies on the topic of "love and being in love", including with students from Oldenburg. In one study, for example, he asked which characteristics the respondents associated with "love" and which they associated with "being in love". The result: for less than 20 per cent of respondents, strong physical sensations were part of a love relationship, but for over 90 per cent they were part of being in love. Instead, the study participants stated that mutual trust, knowing your partner well or accepting each other's weaknesses are not part of being in love, but are part of love. In further studies, Mees also asked what proof of love people want from their partner and what reasons there are for the failure of a relationship.

So it is only a little sad at first glance that the exuberance of the first infatuation usually does not last. Because as soon as infatuation turns into love, genuine trust, openness and a sense of responsibility towards your partner grow. And that is a beautiful message.

By the way: Anyone who is interested in the diverse cutting-edge research at the University of Oldenburg beyond the beautiful topic of love should not miss reading the EINBLICKE magazine, which is published once a year. Here you will find the latest issue as well as an archive of all previous issues.