“Love can be wondrously complicated, it can be confusing, and it can be terrifying. But if it wasn’t all those things, then it isn’t love.”
Love is not something you find around the corner the day you wake up and decide you want it.
Sometimes you believe you have found the person of your dreams, only to realize months later they’re not the right person for you.
Sometimes instead, you see green flag after green flag, and over time you realize that maybe your partner is the best person you could find.
You realize that you not only have a lot in common, you not only complement each other, but you also see the following signs.
Table of Contents
1. A Good Life Partner Sees the Things You Do For Them
Obviously, if someone doesn’t acknowledge every tiny thing you do for them, it doesn’t mean they are a bad partner.
We’re humans, not robots. However, when you are with someone who sees most of the things you do for them and has the habit to show you their gratitude, it’s a good sign.
For example, one day you cook a meal for them. They not only say thank you.
They hold your hand, smile and let you know they love when you cook for them. If your partner is anything like that, don’t let them go.
2. A Good Life Partner Communicates in a Healthy, Respectful and Assertive Way
To have a truly healthy relationship, you need two partners who are able to communicate in a healthy, assertive way.
As psychiatrist Abigail Brenner M.D. wrote in Psychology Today, healthy communication means we transmit our emotions, feelings, and beliefs in the most satisfying way, for a common purpose.
Also, as explained in an article published on Healthy WA — the official website of the Western Australia Department of Health — assertiveness means expressing your opinion in a clear way, while still respecting others.
A partner who communicates in a healthy and assertive way not only wants to communicate their point of view in a respectful way, they also want to hear yours and — when conflict arises — find a solution which is beneficial for both of you.
3. They Are Not Only Your Life Partner, They Are Your Best Friend
As Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. explains in Psychology Today, when your partner is also your best friend, the relationship is more likely to be successful.
Also, with them you have this special connection you don’t have with anyone else. You are the first person they call every time they receive good or bad news.
And whenever something happens to you, they are the first person to know. After a long day at the office, you can’t wait to spend some time with them to tell them about your day and ask them about theirs as well.
You see a funny post on Facebook, they are the first person you think of, so you forward it to them. They are not only your partner, but also your best friend.
4. They Are There for You if You Need To Vent
Whenever you need to vent with someone, you know they are there for you.
In fact, they are the first person you think of, because you know they’ll listen and make you feel understood.
You know they won’t criticize you, and won’t use what you’re telling them against you. You can talk with them about everything, because there is emotional intimacy in the relationship.
As Acamea Deadwiler, M.S. wrote in Mind Body Green,
“Emotional intimacy involves candid, authentic sharing of thoughts and feelings.
It also involves being able to tell each other your deepest fears, dreams, disappointments, and most complicated emotions, as well as feeling seen and understood when you do.”
And emotionally intimacy between two people is an important — if not the most important — sign of a healthy relationship.
5. They Prioritize Quality Time With You
A partner who loves you wants to spend quality time with you and they make it a priority. And when they are with you they usually give you their undivided attention.
Obviously, this doesn’t mean you spend all the time together. It simply means that a good partner consistently nurtures their relationship with you.
