Falling in love may be the greatest feeling in the world. You have constant butterflies, you’re always in a great mood, and you start to see a future with someone. Who doesn’t want that!? As the relationship continues, your feelings are confirmed or your feelings start to dwindle away, along with the butterflies. In past relationships, what I thought was love, wasn’t. You don’t know what true love is until it happens to you and then you compare it to other relationships and realize the difference and what you have been missing out on. There is a foundation you build with your partner to keep the love alive.
Here are a few key factors to help you know when you have found the one.
Consistency
Is he or she always there for you? They don’t go away and they’re not only there for you when it’s convenient for them. Consistency shows that they really care about you and what’s going on in your life. It’s a great feeling to know that you can always rely on someone; it’s something you should have in a partnership. Life goes through its ups and downs and you need to know if he or she is going to stick around and always be there, even through the bad. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but calling or texting takes only a few minutes. If days go by and you haven’t received a “hello” text, it may be time to reflect on how you’re spending your time.
Trust
There’s no point in investing your time and loving someone if you can’t trust them. How great is it to constantly be thinking of where your significant other is because you’re afraid they are lying to you? Not so great. It’s unsettling to spend time thinking negative thoughts when you could be doing more positive and productive activities. To fully trust someone and give them your all is an amazing feeling; you feel secure and loved. Having someone trust in you also shows that they care and love you. Trust is one of the most important traits to be looking for to have a wonderful relationship.
Communication
Be upfront about everything and keep a line of open communication with your significant other. How is he or she ever supposed to know what you are thinking about if you don’t express yourself? Or if it’s the opposite where they don’t communicate as much as you do, check in with them and make sure they are always on the same page as you. Checking in can make you even closer because you’re talking about your feelings to one another. If you have someone who always lets you know what is on their mind or is easy to talk to, then that is a great quality you have as a couple. It has to be reciprocated between each other or it won’t work.
Laughter
Life is short, so you might as well have fun and laugh as much as possible! To be in a relationship that is happy and easy is a good one, or as I like to say, “a breath of fresh air.” Being able to enjoy each other’s company and laugh about the littlest things in life is what makes life so enjoyable. Also, finding someone who is in line with your own sense of humor is important. Whether it’s dancing in the kitchen or singing to your favorite song in the car, you find the best times in life to be when you’re laughing together.
Friendship
You can say you love him or her and that you have a great connection, trust, and foundation to last forever. Awesome! How about a friendship to help the foundation? Do you truly enjoying hanging out with him or her? Can you hang out for long periods of time and not get sick of him or her? Can you tell them everything, just like your best friend? If you answered yes, then your soulmate is also your best friend and that is everything. To me, you have truly found the one when at the end of the day, when there are no presents or fancy vacations, you and bae can truly appreciate just hanging out and watching Netflix. It’s wonderful to know your partner in life can fulfill many parts, not only romantically, but also have a friendship behind it.
Every love is different, but in a true relationship you don’t have to make up excuses or constantly wonder what is going on in his or her head. You are secure within your relationship and yourself. You’re able to be the best version of yourself and your partner is there to help and cheer you on (vice versa). This is when you know you have found the one!