The "Making Eyes Couples"

In the general progression of a releationship, before couples make love, they make out.  Before they make out, they make eyes.  You know what I'm talking about.  The intensely flirtatious look that women give to men that says, "I really hope this bonehead understands that I'm into him." Men give a look in return that says, "This chick is totally hot and she's looking at me.  I wonder if she's into me?  Or maybe there's something on my face."  It's during that initial phase of attraction when you're getting to know someone, and on outward appearance they're checking all the boxes.  Now it's just time to make sure that they are worth putting the effort into.  So you make eyes to let them know to stick around for a bit, and maybe--just maybe--it could blossom into something more.

I've noticed them around campus this week.  The "making eyes couples".  Three weeks into the semester students are now starting to warm up to their classmates.  They talk about the homework, upcoming quizzes, the crazy teacher.  Perhaps at this point they are starting to share more personal information about themselves.  And potential couples are starting to connect.  You can spot these "making eyes couples" pretty easily.  They stand closer than normal.  Smile wider than the conversation requires.  The girls look up at the guys from the corner of their eyes to make themselves appear more delicate and feminine than usual.  The guys smile down at them and move their arms awkwardly to avoid an accidental brush of hands.  You know what the brush of hands means.  It means hold my hand, stupid.  The guys aren't ready to communicate this yet.  They haven't quite figured out that the girl is interested and they don't want to rock the boat.  These tender young lives, away from the hierarchy of high school, are realizing there really are a lot more fish in the sea.  Their eyes are on a particular prize catch, and they hope it won't be too much of a struggle to reel them in.  It's darling, really.

It has been a long time since I had this experience myself.  Making potential relationship eyes is different than making potential hook-up eyes.  But honestly, the last time I made eyes at someone with the goal of having a long-term relationship was nearly a decade ago.  It's worth mentioning that it worked.  However, in the two years since that relationship ended, I have not made serious eyes at anyone.  My look of interest is tempered by my guard.  You may be good-looking, but you aren't getting past the velvet rope to my heart without waiting for a long time.  And there is no VIP list.  I just don't make "ask me and I'll say yes" eyes anymore.  Maybe you need to be young and innocent to give someone that look.  Your pride untouched and your walls not built yet.  Perhaps that's why watching these kids almost seems magical.  They are so hopeful for the future and have experienced very little disappointment.  They give their hearts away because they don't yet know the cost.  I hope they are able to go unscathed.  If the person they are making eyes at now turns out to be the love of their life, that's fantastic.  If not, I hope when their heart gets returned, it hasn't been worn or damaged and the tags are still attached.