No relationship is perfect, but there are certain key signs that you’re found a partner worth keeping. If you can tick all or most of the following eight boxes, you’re lucky enough to have found a great match.
1. You share core values
Subtle differences in preferences and opinions help to keep things interesting, but it’s hard to be satisfied in a relationship with someone whose core beliefs are at odds with yours. If you agree on the big topics like religion, politics and starting a family, you’re on the right track.
2. You have compatible senses of humor
Regularly laughing is one of the best ways to improve your life, helping you to see the bright side of tough situations and flooding your body with feel-good chemicals. If your partner can make you laugh and always gets even your worst jokes, count yourself lucky!
3. You show each other how much you care
While you might prefer to employ different ways to express your love, you’re in a good place if you and your partner regularly make gestures to show affection. You don’t need to trade expensive gifts every week, but it’s important to help each other with difficult tasks, do thoughtful things and give much-needed support.
4. You work at the relationship
Even after you’ve been together for decades, there’s always scope for learning new things. You’re with the right person if you both acknowledge that all relationships require effort and if both of you are committed to making that effort.
5. You have a deep friendship
There is an old saying that you should marry your best friend, and it’s true that a close friendship is the cornerstone of a happy romantic relationship. If you would trust your partner with all the things you would tell your friends, love their company and feel comfortable when you’re together, you’ve found a great match.
6. You prioritize each other
While it’s great to have independent social circles and interests, it’s also important to feel that at the end of the day, your partner would always prioritize you over anything else. For example, if you’d gladly skip a night out to make your loved one more comfortable during an illness or if you know you can count on your partner to turn off the big game when you need help preparing for a job interview, you’re respectfully prioritizing your relationship (and each other).
7. You don’t wish you were with someone else
It’s normal to wistfully think about an ex from time to time or to notice an attractive person on the street, but at the end of the day you shouldn’t feel like you would truly like to swap your partner for anyone else.
8. It just feels right
Finally, the most important sign that you’re with the right person is the intuition that you’ve found something special and irreplaceable that is better than any other relationship experience you have had.