That is how love works. It needs to reach your heart in order for you to feel it. This is not always easy, especially if you've been hurt in the past by someone you loved and trusted.
We are all human beings who make mistakes along the way. That is how we learn. If you don't allow yourself to make mistakes, then you are only half-living. There will always be a part of you that will feel empty and unfulfilled.
Allow your heart to be open to receive, even if it's just a tiny bit. With time, you'll be able to allow a bit more love to come in as you build trust with the other person and yourself. You'll learn to set up healthy boundaries around yourself in order to respect and honor who you are, without building a brick wall around you, isolating yourself.
Ask yourself what do you want from this relationship? What would make you happy if this relationship grows? How much time do you wish to spend with this person? What are the things you will not tolerate or accept from this person? Understanding what you want and need in a relationship will help you to feel free to enjoy the other person and feel the love that grows between you two over time.
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