Do you go back and forth on whether or not your boyfriend might be “The One”? You may never be 100% sure, but there are a few common clues that you should be looking for if you think that the two of you may be in this for the long haul. Here are 10 qualities that he should have if your relationship is going to last:
- He’s nice. This one should be obvious, right? Unfortunately, there’s still something hot about bad guys that draws us to them, but that’s not who you should be going after if you’re looking for long-term potential. Don’t think that you’re going to be the one to change or reform the bad guy; just grab a nice guy from the start.
- He makes an effort to connect with your family. He gets your mom a Christmas present, he remembers the name of your family’s dog, he’s passing by your parents’ house so he asks if he can drop by (without you) to say hello. Relationships are hard enough without your family hating him. Don’t let your mother be the butt of a bad in-law joke.
- He always knows how to make you laugh, and you can be silly together. If you can laugh both with and at each other, there’s nothing you can’t overcome.
- He cares about the same things you do (at least some of them). Watching TV together is great, but you should have another go-to activity that gets you excited and gives you something fun to break up the monotony.
- He’s totally comfortable talking about what he envisions in a possible future together. He doesn’t get freaked out when he finds out that you have a Pinterest wedding board or when you make not-so-subtle comments about what type of engagement rings you like. He’s also willing to tackle the tough topics, like religious observance and kids. The future should be something that excites him, not scares him.
- He knows about your past relationships and understands that they’re a part of who you are today. If you’re going to be together forever, you shouldn’t have to hide your previous relationships. You don’t have to chatter on about your exes, either, but he should know basic details about who they were and accept that they were an important part of teaching you about what you want in a relationship.
- He makes you feel absolutely gorgeous. He’s super appreciative when you get glammed up for him, but he also makes you feel like the most beautiful woman in the world when you’re relaxing at home in your baggy pajama bottoms.
- He supports your academic and career goals. He doesn’t give you a hard time when you tell him you have to work late and need to skip out dinner, and he certainly doesn’t tell you
- He’s not afraid to admit when he’s wrong and apologize for it. He’s not keeping score, and he realizes that apologizing puts him in a stronger position in the relationship, not a weaker one.
- He has a positive attitude, and he’s grateful for what he’s been given in life. Positivity, like negativity, is contagious. If you’re with a glass-half-full kind of guy, you’re more likely to be happy and content together on a daily basis.