When you’re dating with the goal of getting married, you probably have some sort of mental checklist when it comes to what you’re looking for in a partner. If you want to up your chances of long-term relationship happiness, read on for qualities that will make a great husband and add them to your list if they’re not already on it.
1. He’s Emotionally Mature.
According to Marriage.com, this might be one of—if not the—most important signs of a good partner! If he can handle his emotions constructively, take ownership when he’s wrong, and communicate in a healthy way, you’ve hit the jackpot.
2. He Treats Your Loved Ones Well.
I’ll level with you—families are tough (some more than others). But a tell-tale sign of a great husband is if he can look past your family’s faults and accept and respect them for who they are. Even if they don’t always see eye to eye, he treats them well because it makes you happy, and that’s all he cares about at the end of the day.
3. He Motivates You.
When you talk about your goals with him, he’s fully on board. He believes in your abilities and that you can achieve anything you want to—and he makes it known. He’s constantly asking how he can support you and what he can do to make getting to your goals that much easier. A true gem.
4. He’s Consistent.
According to Modern Wellness Counseling, consistency is key in life, especially when it comes to marriage. You deserve to marry someone who you can rely on, after all! If he’s shown you time and time again that you can rely on him, great go forth! But if he’s been less than stellar in the consistency department, he’s probably not S.O. material.
5. He’s Genuinely Ready For Marriage.
This seems obvious, but there are plenty of guys out there who think they’re ready for marriage when they actually are. So pay attention to his words and make sure he takes the action to back them up, because the truth is that if he’s not ready to get married then he’s not the guy for you.
6. He Remembers The Little Things.
This shows not only that he’s listening but that he cares enough to follow up on what you say. Whether that’s him checking in after a meeting with the boss or surprising you with a robe a few days after you mentioned wanting one, he gets it. And that’s exactly the type of guy you want to marry.
7. He Knows What He Wants And Goes After It.
Whether that’s a relationship with you, his career, or personal goals, this guy is a man of action. This shows initiative and passion —two things that are great for long-term relationships. It’s also super motivating to have a partner who goes the extra mile to reach their dreams.
8. He Doesn’t Subscribe To Gender Norms.
We love a man whose masculinity isn’t threatened the second he learns you make more money than him! We also love a man who’s down to split the housework and do the jobs that have been mainly assigned to women—cooking, cleaning, vacuuming, laundry. This shows that he views you as an equal partner and doesn’t expect to be waited on.
9. He Encourages You To See Your Friends.
Part of a healthy partnership is being able to engage in relationships independent of your partner. If he cares about you, he’ll want you to have fun with your friends and spend time with them—he’s giving you space to engage fully with life instead of holding you back. 10/10 a keeper.
10. He Prioritizes You And Your Relationship.
The best partners are the ones who treat you like you’re the most important person in their life (because you are). Whether that’s by planning couples activities to spend more time with you, forgoing his nightly video games to cheer you up, or something else, he puts you first. A man who doesn’t isn’t ready to be your husband.
11. He Asks For Your Opinion.
Not only does he ask for it, but he genuinely values what you think. A man who’s not afraid to admit he doesn’t have all the answers is low-ego, flexible, and great husband material. Because he knows the truth: making important decisions together with your partner is a huge part of having a healthy marriage.
12. He Can Make You Laugh.
Life is hard already, so why make it harder by marrying someone who can’t make you laugh? Being able to giggle with your partner is a huge factor in relationship happiness—not only does it actually release a bonding chemical but it can also relieve tension when things are difficult.
13. He’s Agreeable.
They say that agreeableness is one of the main attributes that healthy partners display. Now, we’re not saying to marry a “yes” man or a pushover, but having someone who can roll with the daily ups and downs is important. You should never feel like you have to walk on eggshells around anyone, especially your partner, and finding an agreeable S.O. will prevent that.
14. He’s Generous To The People Around Him.
He holds doors for strangers, offers to help your friend change her tire, and wouldn’t bat an eyelash if his brother needed him at two in the morning. The point is, he cares about people—not just the ones he’s close with, but everyone. And I can’t think of a more husband-y quality than that.
15. He Shows He Cares In The Smallest Of Ways.
When you fall asleep on the couch he covers you with a blanket, when you’ve had a bad day he comes home with a treat, and he always lets you have the first (and last) bite of his dessert. A man who is husband material will always be thinking of little ways to make your life warmer, happier, and sweeter.
