With nearly 7.7 billion people on Earth, it’s almost impossible to believe that there isn’t someone special out there somewhere waiting for you, but how are you supposed to know when you’ve found the one? While there is no one secret or guarantee, relationship experts say there are indicators that we can watch out for.
“When you’ve found The One, the relationship just flows. Things are fairly easy,” explains Jeannie Assimos, the Chief of Advice at the online dating site eHarmony. “You understand each other’s viewpoints and perceptions, and either accept them or feel the same way. If a relationship is characterized by conflict, strife or butting heads on a regular basis, that likely tells you the compatibility is not there.”
The ideal match is the one person in this world that will bring you great joy and happiness. They can light up your day, even when you are currently facing some of life’s darkest clouds. Do you believe that you’ve found that special someone?
Here are 12 different ways your perfect partner will love you like no one else can:
#1 – Fight For You
We are going to face our fair share of challenges, difficulties, and obstacles in life. When you find the person, you are meant to spend your life with, they aren’t going to allow anything to keep you apart. They will stand tall, putting their heart and soul into making your relationship a priority in their life. They truly believe in your relationship, in the good times and the bad. They will fight for you.
#2 – Don’t Try to Change You
True love doesn’t occur when you fall in love with the idea of who someone could possibly be, it means falling in love with who they are right now, in this minute, and continuing to love them as they choose to grow and evolve (at their own pace). It means encouraging and supporting your partner as they choose to grow, but also accepting any quirks or awkward habits that may help to make your partner who they are. If your partner doesn’t show you the love and respect of accepting you for who you are, then it’s time to look for someone who does.
#3 – Admit When They’re Wrong
This is one of the hardest things that one can be expected to do, and yet it’s so important for a healthy, lasting relationship. A partner that truly loves and respects you will be able to admit when they have made a mistake or done you wrong, as they understand that being ‘right’ isn’t always the most important thing. Instead, they are willing to be vulnerable to show you just how much they respect and value you.
#4 – Genuine Listening
When you come home after a long, hard day at work and share your day with your partner, do you feel as though they are truly listening to what you say, or does it feel like you are talking to a brick wall? Too often questions like ‘how are you’ or ‘what did you do today’ are said out of habit, and not because we actually care to hear the other party answer. However, when you share with your partner, you know that they are really interested in what you have to say. They listen not only to the words but to the meaning of what you’re sharing.
#5 – Make You Feel Beautiful
It has been said that when you’re with ‘the one’ they will make you feel as though they only have eyes for you, and this is why. Regardless of how long you have been together, your partner goes out of the way to make sure that you know just how beautiful they believe that you are each and every day. They find beauty not only in the conventional aspects of who you are but in every nook and cranny, physically, mentally and spiritually.
#6 – Work Through the Hard Times
There are going to be times in your relationship when one or both of you says or does something that will cause your partner pain or heartbreak. When times get tough and emotions are running high, true love will call on us to stand up and work through these challenges. These are the times that will tear a weaker relationship apart or strengthen those that are meant to last.
#7 – Make Sacrifices
While we would like to believe that there is a way to have everything in life, this isn’t practical or realistic. We can, however, do whatever it takes to benefit our relationship as a whole, taking both our needs and the needs of our partners into consideration. There are times when this is going to require sacrifice on our part or that of our partner. If your partner is willing to make the necessary sacrifices for you and your relationship, then know that they truly love you.
#8 – Unconditional Love
When the right person comes into your life, they aren’t in love with you for what you can do for them or who they can transform you into. They don’t require you to be someone you’re not or to buy their love. Instead, they truly love you – the real, slightly crazy, imperfect and yet completely unique and special you. This isn’t to say they have to agree with everything you do, but they love you even if they don’t.
#9 – Make You Feel Safe
There is too much violence and negativity in the world today to question how safe you are in your relationship. If your partner ever causes you to doubt your safety and well-being, there is a good chance that you are in a physically or mentally abusive situation. Know that these relationships are never about love. They are about control and personal gain. If your partner really loves you, they will make you feel safe at all times.
#10 – Give Your Partner Space
Sure, when you get into a relationship, there is no denying that you do so to spend time together. After all, why else would you commit to spending your lives together? However, that doesn’t mean you need to spend every minute of every day attached at the hip. You are both your own separate people, your own individual personalities. Embrace these differences. Your ideal partner will respect your need for space and individuality.
#11 – Introduce Friends and Family
Introducing a new partner to our friends and family is a big step. These are the people we value the most, the people whose opinions matter. For this reason, you can bet that your partner is serious about your future if they are willing to bring you together. This is especially true if they encourage you to spend more time together moving forward. They genuinely love and respect you and see you as an important part of their future.
#12 – Call You On Your B.S.
Let’s be clear, no one is perfect, and this includes you! We all make bad choices or allow our misguided efforts to lead us into difficult situations. If this happens, and your partner is aware of going on, a loving partner would rather say something that may anger or upset you at the moment but save you from bigger issues in the long-term. They aren’t afraid to speak up and let you know you’re about to make a big mistake, or that you’re currently acting like a bit of a jerk.