According to a BBC article, scientists have discovered that much of that heady first response that we call love may be thanks to the release of a chemical in our brains. The protein, a type of neurotrophin, gives rise to the feelings we associate with falling in love.

Not only that, but apparently these effects wear off after a time, allowing the extreme early feelings to mellow into a less passionate but potentially more stable relationship with the loved one. Which is something of a relief, since the headline announces that “Romantic love lasts just a year” - for a moment I thought we’d all been doomed to very brief relationships indeed.

These researches into the mechanisms of our feelings are all very interesting and worthy, I’m sure, but too often a crucial question is never asked. It may well be true that this neurotrophin is responsible for the feelings we experience in the first flush of love but what causes the chemical to be released in the first place? It seems to me that the chemical is much more a result than a cause and that the scientists are trying to catch a will o’ the wisp in all this.

Dream dates do exist! At least they do for David Brown, a 24 year old British man who dreamed about a cell phone number. David thought it might have been the number of someone he met the night before so he texted it. Thus began a romantic tale.

The number actually belonged to Michelle Kitson, a 17 year old girl he had never met. But the two hit it off - texting led to phone calls and letters and eventually David moved 60 miles to be nearer his dream lover.

Their story is an example of a true romantic dream. Michelle and David have just returned from their honeymoon.

Man Dreams of Cell Phone Number, Texts It and Meets Future Wife

There must be any number of books, magazine articles and advice columns that help women to understand men but how often do you see anything that tries to help the man? Yet every day you will hear guys admitting that they “just don’t understand women”. Surely there is a gap in the market there.

But do not despair - Dennis W. Needer has written a book entitled Being a Man in a Woman’s World and it is full of advice on how to be successful in your relationships with women.

It covers subjects like “The Test” (something all women give to men, whether they are aware of it or not, apparently), how to meet women, and how to deal with problems in your relationships. Apart from anything else, it is a sure fire winner to leave lying around for her to find and conclude that you are a sensitive guy who wants to know how to treat her better. Of course, you may not have read it, but there’s no need to mention that…

The book is available from Amazon at a mere $13.57 and, if you read it cover to cover and find it works, Mr Needer has already written a follow up, Being a Man in a Woman’s World II. Hey, if it works, don’t stop doing it!

Men in Buffalo NY are being warned to be on the lookout for a woman who may try to hug them. According to police, it isn’t their charm that is winning her over.

Seems a woman in Buffalo is hanging around outside bars in the wee hours. When male patrons come out tipsy, she approaches them, chats with them and then hugs them. But it isn’t the start of a great relationship. While she’s hugging them, she’s actually lifting their wallets.

Police think they know who’s pulling off the hug-and-mug jobs and are seeking a 48-year-old-woman with a long police record.

Police warn of the ‘Hugging Bandit’