1. You tell him/her things you don’t tell anyone else. We don’t mean blurting something out when you’re emotionally unstable, but the desire to tell him/her intimate details about your life means you trust him/her — a major component of successful long-term love.
2. You let him/her see you in moments of weakness. It’s easy to be happy with someone when you’re feeling good about life. But what about when you’re not doing so well? He/She should be a comfort during tough times, not a burden.
3.You respect him/her. You don’t want to change the essence of who he/she is. There may be stuff that irritates you in everyday life but you like him/her, plain and simple.
4. You want him/her to meet your parents. You feel proud of him/her and you want to show him/her off.
5. You can imagine a future together. You don’t have to practice writing your first name with his last name, but you periodically let your mind wander to picture a life together.
6. You’re not afraid to disagree with him/her. You know that even if you fight, he’ll/she’ll listen to you and won’t brush you off. He/she takes you seriously, even when he/she thinks you’re wrong.
7. You want to work out your major differences. If you do have crucial differences that will impact your future together — different opinions about religion, money, or something else — you want to work them out with him/her and you believe you can come to a conclusion that will satisfy both of you.
8. You laugh together. Laughter is one of life’s simplest pleasures — you should definitely be able to crack each other up.
9. You’re incredibly, utterly, surprisingly attracted to him/her. Physical chemistry is an undeniably important ingredient in a healthy relationship.
10.It’s OK to be quiet around her. You don’t feel like you have to fill the space between you with a chat or other interaction. Instead, you feel an easy comfort.
11. You feel like yourself around him/her. You don’t feel like you have to edit your thoughts; you’re not self-conscious or anxious.
12. You need him/her the right amount. You long for him/her — but not too much.
13. You don’t feel too jealous. You’re comfortable with him/her going out with his/her friends — even female/male friends. You let each other have your own lives and hobbies.
14. You feel like /heshe makes you a better person. He/She makes you feel smart, funny, attractive, creative — like the best version of yourself.
You feel like he/she brings out and complements the best parts of you.
15. She just gets you. Sometimes it’s that easy. You feel like he/she understands some essential part of you that you can’t explain or articulate. It’s a warm, comfortable feeling — and one you should have with the person you marry.
