The nature of the relationship. Each partner's rate and direction of character development. The amount of rational thought and effort each partner continues to put into the relationship. Working jointly toward major productive experiences and goals. Working separately toward major productive experiences and goals.
Some relationships start hot and flaming, some start cool and conservatively.
Some people try to get involved too quickly in deep romantic relationships. The possible penalties of pressing deep involvement too quickly include losing a potentially good romantic partner or wasting a precious portion of one's life in an unsatisfactory relationship. The way a romantic relationship starts is usually not important because romantic love evolves through growth and development of mutual values. Therefore, any initial, honest approach is good and normally does not determine the outcome. What determines the success of a relationship is not the starting conditions, but is the direction of growth and the extent that mutual values can be continually created.