Love is a complex feeling that encompasses many emotions, words and actions. While we often think of romantic love, there are other forms of love that can be just as powerful and fulfilling. Love can also be a powerful force within our lives as it can motivate us to want to change and grow as individuals and as partners, friends or family members.

Regardless of the type of love, there are three common elements that most people can agree on: attachment, care and intimacy. Attachment is when you value a person’s happiness and needs over your own, and this can be seen in friendships and familial relationships. Caring involves putting their needs ahead of your own and wanting to do whatever it takes to help them, such as when you sacrifice yourself for a loved one. The last element of love is intimacy, which refers to sharing close and intimate moments with someone.

According to scientists, there are a few things that happen in the brain when you fall in love:

Stage 1: Attraction

In this stage, we feel a rush of hormones like dopamine, norepinephrine and adrenaline that cause our cheeks to flush and palms to sweat. This is when we are attracted to someone’s personality, looks or quirks. It’s the reason you can’t stop thinking about them and why you find their voice or scent so intoxicating.

Stage 2: Affection

This stage is characterized by feelings of warmth and tenderness, often paired with an intense desire to spend time together. It’s the moment when you notice yourself daydreaming about them and how you can get closer to them. You may also begin to plan for the future, such as where you want to live or how you can spend your life together. Affection is the moment when you start to see a future with this person, and it’s also when the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine start to return to their normal levels, which is why you are so motivated to spend more time together.

Stage 3: Loyalty

In the loyalty stage, you have a deep attachment to your partner and are willing to put their needs above your own. This is the stage that you experience when your best friend calls you for advice, when your mom wants to know if everything’s okay or when you feel inexplicably compelled to support them during a rough patch.

This is the type of love that you experience when you’re a parent or caregiver. It’s the reason you would do anything for your children, whether it’s sacrificing yourself for them or just giving up a weekend to take them to the movies. Loyalty is the foundation of healthy and lasting relationships, but it can also be a big challenge to maintain. Bad behaviors in a relationship, such as lying, cheating or abandonment can lead to trust issues that last far beyond your old partnership. This is why it’s important to practice trust-building skills in all relationships.