The effect of falling in love at the eye of the storm

When adrenaline gets mistaken for butterflies in the stomach
Hi girls! I have no one to vent to, so I’m writing here—I know many of you went through the exact same thing today.

Last night in Kyiv was simply apocalyptic. The explosions were so close it felt like the very air was cracking at the seams. The girls from the chat and I were messaging each other all night, supporting one another with emojis and news updates. And you know the most surprising thing that happened to me toward morning, when things had quieted down a bit?

A wild thought crossed my mind: when I was paralyzed with fear, I mechanically opened Tinder and started scrolling through profiles. And suddenly... one profile caught my eye. A guy had written: "Waiting out the night in a basement in Pozniaky; if anyone’s nearby, let me know—we can have tea over a video call." We talked until five in the morning. And you know, that terrifying adrenaline of the night strangely mingled with that long-forgotten, dazzling feeling of falling in love! It was a moment when the butterflies in my stomach weren't fluttering because of a romantic candlelight dinner, but because of the sound of an explosion somewhere on the Left Bank—and the voice of a stranger whispering into the phone: "Don't be afraid, I'm with you."

Psychologists say that in stressful situations, our brains seek refuge in emotions and can mistake fear for intense attraction. But damn it, why does this whirlwind of feelings feel so vivid and real?

Girls, 'fess up: has anyone here ever fallen in love like this—amidst sirens, destruction, and total chaos? Or is it just a nervous breakdown masquerading as romance?

With a burning heart and trembling hands,

Olga