Occasionally that instant feeling of attraction may turn into true love, but not without first going through the stages. Love at first sight is instant attraction, not true love. True love must start, after the initial meeting, with friendship. It is essential that a strong bond exist before dating begins. Friendship is a phase to get to know the other person, determine common interests, and discover faults.
Friendship creates a foundation on which true love can be built.
A house cannot be constructed without a foundation, just as true love cannot be found without friendship. Without a foundation a house will surely fall during the first storm, just as a relationship will topple lacking friendship as its base. Companionship presents a chance to establish an understanding for each other. Trust begins to form as the relationship moves further. Trust begins to take a more definite shape when the couple begins to date.