When we fall in love with someone, we always want them to be the “end all, be all” of our life. We don’t want to think about every playing the field again, we never want to think about the “dating scene” again–we just want this to be the “forever” kind of love. How do you know, though? How are you able to realize that the person you are with is the person you should be with forever? It’s hard to say. Everyone’s life is incredibly different (in many ways), but there are some universal feelings, lessons, and realizations that you can have while falling in love that makes you stop and realize–”wow, I can truly see myself spending the rest of my life with this person.”
1. You completely trust them, with no strings attached.
When you fall in love with someone, you’re allowing yourself to be vulnerable and open to someone. We’re allowing ourselves to risk being hurt, heartbroken, and devastated if things don’t go as planned. We’re essentially putting our emotional wellbeing and souls into another person’s hands. That’s truly an action that requires the utmost trust and value. If you’re unsure whether or not you can trust your partner, there’s no reason to even picture a future together. You should feel comfortable and at ease when it comes to your life together. You should never wonder what they’re doing when they’re out if they’re talking to someone else, if they’re texting someone they shouldn’t be. If you ever feel the inclination you should go through their phone, texts, emails, social media–you’re not with the person you deserve to be with. The person you are meant to be with will never, ever give you a reason not to trust them. They will always be honest with you, open with you, and give you every single solitary reason to trust them. If you are uneasy about your love now, think about feeling this way as you get older–with kids involved. You should never live your life on the edge with someone.
2. They make you feel comfortable being exactly who you are.
You should find someone who loves you for who you are–no changes, no criticism. Far too often, we fall in love with people who want to change us or mold us into someone we aren’t. They criticize our weight, our hair color, our quirks we used to completely admire about ourselves–but, have fallen to dislike because someone we care about has pointed them out as “wrong,” or “not good enough.” Don’t let another person tear you down and make you feel as though you need to change to fit a mold they have inscribed in their mind. If they want someone who fits those roles, let them go find that person. You will find someone one day who loves you for who you are. Your weight, your eye color, your hair color, your snort-laugh, your corny jokes, the way your nose crinkles when you dislike something. The qualities you are given, you take pride in. Never plan a future with someone if they want to change you, you will find yourself living someone else’s life, one which was never yours.