Dating can and should be fun and exciting. Not only are you able to get to know other people on a deeper level than you normally would; but you also get to know yourself a bit more during the process. When things start getting serious, how do you know if they are the person you want to settle down with? Here are some key insights to knowing if your love is the real deal, and will be able to withstand the test if time.
Not being able to keep things from each other
Keeping things from your significant other is a fast way to lose trust. You may think it’s okay to tell a harmless little fib about something small and maybe not that meaningful, but this can send you down a slippery slope. If you and your partner remain open and honest about everything, it allows you to have a deeper trust in one another. Even something as small as lying about how much money you spent on something can lead to stress and strain in your relationship that can easily be avoided if you just stay honest. If you and your partner can’t or don’t keep things from each other you are on the right track.
Ability to resolve conflict
When a relationship is new and you are just getting to know each other, you try to avoid conflict even if you blatantly disagree. As the relationship matures, naturally there will be things you don’t see eye to eye on or actions that you dint find acceptable behavior. Having the ability to resolve whatever the conflict may be is vital to a long lasting relationship. You don’t even have to come to an agreement, it’s okay to have different thoughts and opinions. If you are able to find an compromise and resolution to the problem this is a good indication of the strength of your relationship.
They become your safe person
You know when you’re a little kid and you get hurt and you have that person you run to crying and they just make everything better? You need that in adulthood too! Life isn’t always a walk in the park and when things get tough you need to have someone who will be in your corner no matter what. This can be a parent or a close friend, but when your safe person becomes your significant other, it just shows that you have a special bond with that person. Having the ability to be vulnerable and let someone carry you through your darkest times is huge in a relationship.
Being in a successful, long lasting, relationship takes a lot of effort from both those involved. The biggest way to tell if they are “the one” is by how you feel when you’re around them. If you feel happy and relaxed, that’s a good indication that things are going strong. No one is perfect; but if you both are willing to put work and effort into the relationship, it can last forever.
