How to tell if Edward *really* loves Bella (and if your BF/GF is bitten by you)
Author: Admin
Okay, okay, I’ll admit it right up front: this post is based upon an article called “Dating Tips: 10 Signs He’s Smitten,” and yes, I know, that’s kind of pathetic.
But, this is an unusually perceptive list.
Plus, I’m reading through John Granger’s excellent book, Spotlight (for serious readers of the Twilight series; I will post a review later) right now, and didn’t want you to think I had forgotten you in the meantime.
Anyway, a lot of critics of Twilight sound like Jacob — wondering if Bella should have caught that TV show on “controlling, abusive teenage relationships.” They read about Bella being overwhelmed with love for Edward, but they don’t see how Edward is showing any real love in return for her.
So, here’s a 10 tips that help answer if your boyfriend, girlfriend, or vampire-of-destiny are really into you. And the article says, “If he’s done any of the following, there’s no question.” And how can you not trust Yahoo? So, here goes:
1. He talks you up to all his friends. If you’re meeting his friends for the first time and they already know your entire life history — not to mention your favorite movie, ice cream flavor, and guilty pleasure song — chances are he’s hooked on you, and has probably been suffering major harassment at the hands of his buddies in the name of love. (Yeah, he’s totally whipped.)
Edward talks at great length with his family about Bella in Midnight Sun. Of course, the discussion doesn’t go particularly well, but that’s besides the point. Bella is Edward’s life now and he thinks and talks of little else.
2. He enjoys doing the most mundane activities with you. Laundry. Running errands. Napping. Shoe shopping. Congratulations, you’re the most boring couple ever. (Kidding!) But when he acts like the most routine, everyday activities are confetti-filled barrels of fun — because you’re doing them together — there’s definitely something there.
For Edward, this includes helping her cook food (which disgusts him, but he does it anyway), driving Bella to school, sitting with her at lunch time, waiting out her sentence with her inside her small and humble home, and of course the main one: watching over her while she sleeps. And he is never anything but fascinated by that/her.
3. He’d rather talk to you than watch the latest episode of “24″… at least for now. If he shuts down his BlackBerry, Xbox, or most recently scheduled World of Warcraft raid so that he can give you his undivided attention, don’t doubt his devotion. Most women would kill to command that sort of attention at later points in their relationships.
Edward puts off hunting/eating, piano playing, reading, writing in his journals, etc., in order to be with Bella, hanging on her every word, breath, and expression to cross her face.
4. He’s not afraid to say, “I love you.” In fact, he willingly says it in front of both friends and family, and doesn’t balk at PDAs either.
Edward tells Bella of his love frequently, regularly and passionately — and kisses her in front of his whole family — without embarrassment. W-o-w.
5. He misses you. Always. He texts and/or emails regularly to say that he was “thinking about you” or “just wanted to say hi.” Even a “hey, what’s up?” speaks to the depths of the pain he feels when you’re not around. And if he can’t let a day go by without a phone chat? You’re gonna have a tough time getting rid of this one.
“Be safe.” “Take care of my heart — I’ve left it with you.” When he decides to not hunt any further away than absolutely necessary — even Rosalie knows that it terrifies him to be away from Bella — that showed real commitment.
6. He takes it for granted that you have a future together. He says “we” instead of “I” and talks about your future together as if it’s a given. “When you meet my sister you’ll see what I mean” or “My birthday was boring this year. We’ll have to do something fun next year.” He may not have mentioned marriage, but he’s definitely thinking long-term.
Edward tells Bella, simply, “You are my life now.” When Edward thinks long term relationship, he means very long term — like, eternity. And he definitely talks about marriage.
7. He goes the extra mile. He surprises you with candy buttons because he knows they’re your fave. He puts gas in your car or unloads the dishwasher, completely unsolicited. They’re not grand gestures, but he’s making an obvious attempt to do something special for you. Men and women speak different languages when it comes to romance, but when he does something nice for you without being asked, he’s trying. And that speaks volumes.
Too many to mention here (Fishing her car keys out of puddles. Carrying her to the nurse’s office. Getting her out of gym. And so forth.), though Edward does lean toward the “grand” side, like, missile-proof cars. Enormous diamonds. Eternal life.
8. He can’t get over how beautiful you are. If you keep catching him sneaking peeks at you from across the room, he’s totally a goner.
Edward tells Bella she’s beautiful about a zillion times (I counted), even though Bella accepts his compliments, like, twice. And he definitely does some sneaking to see Bella, for instance, constantly sneaking into everyone’s heads at school just to see her as much as possible.
9. He picks you over the boys. His friends are hitting up the local nightclub? Well… he’d rather spend the night in with you and your latest Netflix picks. They’re going to see his favorite basketball team? Well… hmm… lemme think about… what!? Of course I’d rather spend time with you, honey. Yes, he’s smitten.
In Midnight Sun, Edward seriously considers fighting his family over Bella. And he does (briefly), in New Moon.
10. He’s willing to be a total mush. As evidenced by the mixed CD he made for your “month-aversary,” complete with cutesy album title and hand-drawn cover art, and accompanied by a carefully chosen card containing five long paragraphs on why he’s grateful you’re a part of his life.
Ah, the CD. He even played the music himself. Feel free to swoon.
So, if there isn’t anyone in your life loving you, committed to you, treating you like this — learn to be more like that yourself. And, trust me, it will work out when the time is right.
What do you think of the list? Can you think of other examples with Edward and Bella? Does she do the same for him? Please comment below!
