Puppy Love Apr 2026

Puppy love is not a lesser form of love; it is the first draft of love—messy, unedited, and absolutely necessary.

A sudden, overwhelming awareness of the other person. Often triggered by a trivial moment (they laughed at a joke, they helped pick up dropped books, they wore a specific shirt). The teen will obsessively recount this moment to friends. Puppy Love

A period of covert observation and strategic positioning. The teen learns their crush’s schedule, hobbies, and friend group. They may change their own habits (e.g., suddenly joining the art club) to engineer “accidental” encounters. Puppy love is not a lesser form of

| | Digital Puppy Love (Post-2010) | | :--- | :--- | | Passing folded notes in class | Sending memes and TikToks as flirting | | Calling home phone and hanging up when parents answer | “Streaks” on Snapchat as a commitment metric | | Slow, agonizing wait for a response | Read receipts cause instant anxiety | | Romantic mix-tapes on cassette/CD | Curated Spotify playlists with hidden messages | | First kiss at the school dance | First “u up?” text at 11 PM | The teen will obsessively recount this moment to friends

Puppy Love (also known as a crush , infatuation , or calf love ) refers to feelings of love, romance, or deep affection, typically experienced during adolescence (ages 10–16). It is distinguished from adult romantic love by its intensity, idealism, and lack of long-term practical depth.