Can you recognize the good old days when you’re in the middle of the good old days? Many people can’t.
They take moments and people for granted. What’s worse, they take their partner’s love for granted.
They don’t think of or don’t recognize certain behaviors that show just how much their partner is deeply in love with them.
So don’t be that person who doesn’t appreciate their partner. Look at the following behaviors and realize just how much your partner loves you. Or not.
1) Thoughtful gestures
Thoughtful gestures aren’t just gifts. They’re also the small, considerate actions that show they know what you want and need.
It could be anything from picking up your favorite snack on the way home or surprising you with a cozy movie night.
It’s also the unscheduled “I love you” or “thinking of you” messages that pop up during the day.
These texts prove you have a genuine and spontaneous connection and that you’re on their mind when you’re not around.
But why not do one better on them? Write a couple of thoughtful notes and slip them into their wallet, car, purse, or even their lunch bag.
You know they’ll be over the moon when they see them.
2) Interest in your life
Although most of us live mundane lives, there are still some things happening that are worth talking about.
So even though you’ve told them that same work story a hundred times already, if your partner is genuinely in love with you, they’ll still listen carefully every time you tell it.
But taking an interest in your life goes way above simply asking about your day. They actively want to know all about your interests, concerns, and goals.
They’re not just polite and courteous. They genuinely strive to understand you and be a part of your life.
3) Supportive of your goals
Most partners just nod along. But not yours. They actively support and encourage you to chase your ambitions.
Whether it’s a career move or a personal goal you’re after, they’re there to cheer you on, celebrate your successes, and help you through the challenges.
But they won’t just say, “You can do it.” Oh, no. They’ll actively boost you to pursue your goals.
This means they’re helping you brainstorm ideas, give constructive feedback, or be a sounding board for your thoughts.
In other words, they’re all about facing challenges together.
4) Facing challenges together
In a deeply connected relationship, facing challenges isn’t a solo venture. Instead of avoiding difficulties, a partner who deeply loves you is willing to tackle problems as a team.
What this approach does is it strengthens the bond and resilience of your relationship.
Couples who face difficulties together often emerge stronger and more resilient, laying a foundation for a relationship that can withstand the tests of time.
My wife and I have been through thick and thin, and we’ve always faced challenges together. Never was one of us left to fend for ourselves without help and advice.
5) Respecting your differences
Can there be a healthy and loving relationship without respecting each other’s differences? No, of course not.
Embracing each other’s uniqueness, including differences in opinions, interests, and perspectives, shows a level of acceptance that goes above and beyond tolerance.
My wife and I have many differences, but that never stopped us from loving, caring, and respecting each other.
So, if your partner truly and deeply loves you, they won’t nag, nitpick, and criticize you all the time, will they?
They’ll be aware of your differences and encourage you to be different and unique.
6) Open communication
Open communication is not just talking but genuinely listening. It’s a two-way street where both partners feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment.
It means creating a safe space where both partners feel heard and valued. They don’t just share daily experiences but openly discuss fears, dreams, and vulnerabilities.
And this last one is especially important. Feeling comfortable enough to share your vulnerabilities is one of the quintessential traits of profound love.
7) Respecting your space
In every healthy relationship, there’s respect for space and alone time, and a loving partner will understand the importance of individuality and personal time.
It’s a sign of deep love and care when both partners can pursue their interests and have time to recharge without feeling neglected.
This is especially important when there are kids in the picture. They just drain you so much and are a source of so much stress for many parents.
If you don’t get a chance to recharge by yourself for at least a little bit, you go through each day dead tired and aren’t really showing up as the best you.
8) Remembering details
The devil is in the details, right? That’s why deep love is also the ability to recall your favorite movie, the story behind a scar, or your go-to comfort food.
When your partner remembers these details, they show they value and cherish the uniqueness of your experiences together.
You two have a unique bond that just keeps on giving. It’s just so comforting there’s someone out there who knows you in and out and who shares your journey through life.
You’ve been through so much, yet there’s this wide-open road still ahead of you. That’s just something no money in the world can buy.
9) Shared experiences
A partner who’s deeply in love with you will actively look for shared moments you can try doing. For my wife and I, it’s trying new activities, going on trips, or just spending quality time together.
All of these create a bond built on shared memories. And now that we have a son, we do all of these together and help him discover the world around him.
Although I was never big on having kids, now that I have one, I truly believe it’s comforting to see him growing up and developing, all the while discovering this whole new world around him.
Yes, it’s a big responsibility, but it’s also given us a second wind in life and something new to look forward to.
10) Expressing affection
Hugs, kisses, and even holding hands reinforce the emotional connection between two people.
If you’ve been in a relationship for a while, you know that with years, these become more rare.
But a partner who deeply loves you will never ever neglect expressing affection in any way, shape, or form.
That’s just not something that’s even a remote possibility for them. So, yeah, even though this is something that often gets left behind on the journey of love, two people who are genuinely in love will never stop expressing affection, even after many years.
11) Apologizing and forgiving
In any relationship, conflicts are inevitable. However, the capability to sincerely apologize and forgive shows emotional maturity and commitment.
It’s not always the easiest thing in the world to do, but it’s incredibly important. It’s a huge sign of respect and a way to show you genuinely love and care about the person.
Unfortunately, many couples go through unimaginable challenges, and how they overcome them (or not) shows just how much they love each other (or not).
12) Laughter
Most of us take life too seriously, and we laugh way less than we should. That’s why moments of shared laughter create such a positive atmosphere in a relationship.
It’s a signal that you not only enjoy each other’s company but can find joy in the little moments together.
Creating inside jokes that are unique to your relationship is a great source of laughter, aren’t they?
These jokes often stem from the things you’ve done as a couple that are unique to you and the funny moments you’ve encountered together.
I love sharing those with my wife and now with my son, and there’s perhaps nothing else in this world that does it for me like these small moments.
Final thoughts
Almost every relationship out there is different and unique, and partners have different ways of expressing love to each other.
Only you can know if and how much your partner loves you. Well, besides them, of course.
But chances are, if you recognized at least some of these signs, your partner loves you very deeply.