15 SIGNS YOU'RE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER

Even when you're crazy in love with someone, it can often be hard to know if he or she is "right" for you. How do you know you won't feel differently in a year? Ten years? A lifetime? Deciding if you can
commit to someone is a deeply personal determination, and everyone has...

different criteria. As in any verdict, you have to start by assessing
the evidence. With that in mind, we have come up with 15 signs that
you're dating a soul mate. You don't have to check off all of these
points to be sure about someone—but if you can say yes to several,
you've found someone very special.

1. You tell him things you don't tell anyone else. We don't mean
blurting something out after you've had too much merlot, but the
desire to tell him intimate details about your life means you trust
him—a major component of successful long-term love.

2. You let her see you in moments of weakness. It's easy to be happy
with someone when you're feeling good about life. But what about when
you're not doing so well? Do you want to see her when you've been
denied a raise, or your cat died or you had a plain old bad day? She
should be a comfort during tough times, not a burden.

3. You respect him. You don't want to change the essence of who he is.
There may be stuff that irritates you in everyday life—he insists on
wearing his favorite, holey T-shirt, he eats sugar cereal for dinner,
he still watches Saturday morning cartoons—but you like him, plain and
simple.

4. You want him to meet your parents. You feel proud of him and you
want to show him off—as opposed to feeling like you have to make
excuses for him.
5. You can imagine a future together. You don't have to practice
writing your first name with his last name, but do you periodically
let your mind wander to picture a life together? Is it amazing?

6. You're not afraid to disagree with him. You know that even if you
fight, he'll listen to you and won't brush you off. He takes you
seriously, even when he thinks you're wrong.

7. You want to work out your major differences. If you do have crucial
differences that will impact your future together—different opinions
about religion, money or something else—you want to work them out with
him, and you believe you can come to a conclusion that will satisfy
both of you.

8. You laugh together. Laughter is one of life's simplest
pleasures—you should definitely be able to crack each other up.

9. You're incredibly, utterly, surprisingly attracted to her. Physical
chemistry is an undeniably important ingredient in a healthy
relationship. And if she's not a classic beauty or your usual "type"?
Even more reason to think she's the one.
10. It's OK to be quiet around her. You don't feel like you have to
fill the space between you with chatter or other interaction. Instead,
you feel an easy comfort.

11. You feel like yourself around him. You don't feel like you have to
edit your thoughts; you're not self-conscious or anxious.

12. You need him the right amount. You long for him—but not too much.
Some neediness is good but too much breeds discontent.

13. You don't feel too jealous. You're comfortable with him going out
with his friends—even female friends. You let each other have your own
lives and hobbies.

14. You feel like she makes you a better person. She makes you feel
smart, funny, attractive, creative—like the best version of yourself.
You feel like she brings out and complements the best parts of you.

15. She just gets you. Sometimes it's that easy. You feel like she
understands some essential part of you that you can't explain or
articulate. It's a warm, comfortable feeling—and one you should have
with the person you marry.