Page:Fielding - Sex and the Love Life.pdf/143

The psychological aspects of preparation are equally important, and interdependent and coincident with the physiological. The psychic stimulation releases the emotional floodgates of love and passion, and there is a spiritual upwelling that brings forth the finest and noblest qualities of the human soul.

The sexual act under these conditions, with an absolute mutuality of thought and feeling, is the finest fruition of love, with all its vitalizing reverberations. As Gallichan well says: "Consummated love has a softening, healing, inspiring influence. It often expands the sympathies, stimulates forbearance, and teaches self-denial, forgiveness and consideration towards faults and foibles. In an instance of real love the two are one after marriage. The harsh egoism is lessened, there is regard for the continual well-being of the other half of the unit and a reciprocal desire to give happiness."

In the case of the bride—the preparatory stage has been dwelt upon, but not unduly, considering its importance—there should be the utmost tact and solicitous care used in the wooing. It may even be desirable in some instances to continue the courting tactics over a period of a few days before completing the act of coitus. This, however, is not always necessary, particularly if the woman, by acquiring a rational insight into sexual matters before marriage, comes with an attitude of curious and loving expectancy.

In any event, the consummation of the act should not take place until the bride is ready and willing. By using deliberation and loving patience at this time, and during the following honeymoon days and weeks, there is prepared the foundation for happiness throughout the whole period of married life. Married lovers enjoy the finest example of human relationship.