There’s a fine line between liking someone and loving them.
Trust me, as the founder of Love Connection and a seasoned relationship expert, I’ve seen it all. From fleeting crushes to intense, heart-pounding love affairs.
The shift from liking to loving can be subtle, but there are certain signs that indicate you’ve crossed over into deeper, more meaningful territory.
In this article, I’ll break down 8 signs that you’re not just infatuated; you’ve genuinely grown to love someone in your life.
These are the signs that I’ve seen time and time again in my practice and personal life. So get ready, my friends. Love might be knocking on your door!
1) You prioritize their happiness
Love isn’t just about how someone makes you feel. It’s also about how you feel about them.
In the realm of relationships, one of the surest signs of love is when you genuinely care about someone else’s happiness as much as or even more than your own.
This isn’t about self-sacrifice or martyrdom. No, it’s about taking joy in their joy. It’s about wanting the best for them, even if it doesn’t directly benefit you.
Think of it as the emotional equivalent of putting someone else’s oxygen mask on before your own. It might not be the most instinctive action, but it speaks volumes about your feelings toward that person.
If you find yourself genuinely invested in someone else’s happiness, congratulations! You might just be in love.
But before you jump to conclusions, let’s explore the other signs. After all, love is a complex emotion and it deserves a thorough inspection!
2) You’re their biggest cheerleader
I’ve always been a firm believer that love is about more than just feelings. It’s about actions, support, and being there for the other person when they need you the most.
In my own marriage, I’ve found that one of the most telling signs of love is when you become each other’s biggest cheerleader.
You celebrate their victories, big or small, and are there to provide comfort during their losses.
It’s like what the great Maya Angelou once said: “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
If you find yourself rooting for someone without any sense of jealousy or competition, feeling proud of their achievements as if they were your own, then my friends, you might have more than just friendship brewing.
But let’s not rush things; love is a marathon, not a sprint. Let’s dive into the other signs to get a better understanding.
3) You accept them, flaws and all
Nobody’s perfect. We all have our quirks, flaws, and eccentricities. But when you love someone, these imperfections become part of their charm.
In my book, Breaking The Attachment: How To Overcome Codependency in Your Relationship, I talk extensively about the importance of acceptance in a relationship.
When you’ve grown to love someone, you don’t just tolerate their flaws, you accept them as integral parts of who they are.
And let me tell you this – it’s not always easy. Love isn’t about finding a perfect person.
It’s about seeing an imperfect person perfectly.
If you find yourself loving someone with their flaws rather than despite them, then you’re likely on the road to real love.
But don’t stop here; there are more signs to explore!
4) You’re comfortable with silence
Now, this one might seem a bit counterintuitive. After all, isn’t love all about sharing, talking, and expressing?
Yes, but here’s the twist. When you’ve truly grown to love someone, you become comfortable with just being in their presence, even when words aren’t being exchanged.
I’m talking about those golden moments of silence where nothing needs to be said. You can just sit together, each doing your own thing, and it feels perfectly natural.
Love doesn’t always have to be loud and dramatic. Sometimes, it’s quiet, subtle, and beautifully unspoken.
If you can relish the silence with someone without feeling awkward or the need to fill the void, then that’s a pretty solid sign that you’re in love.
But we’re only halfway through our signs! Let’s keep going.
5) You feel at home with them
There’s a certain comfort that comes with loving someone, a sense of familiarity and warmth that makes you feel like you’re home.
I remember the first time I felt this with my husband.
We were just hanging out on the couch, binge-watching our favorite show, and I realized… I felt more at home with him than anywhere else.
It’s a feeling of belonging, of being exactly where you’re meant to be. And it’s one of the most beautiful aspects of love.
If you’ve ever looked at someone and thought, “This is it. This is my person,” then you’ve probably crossed the line from like to love.
But let’s not stop here. There are still more signs to consider!
6) You’re not afraid to argue
This might be a bit raw, but it’s the honest truth. Love isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. It can get messy, and that’s okay.
When you truly love someone, you’re not afraid to argue with them.
Because you know that even a disagreement can’t shake the foundation of your bond.
You see, love is strong enough to withstand a few storms. It’s about commitment, understanding, and knowing that no argument is worth losing the person you care about.
If you’re able to have healthy disagreements with someone without fearing the end of your relationship, then my friends, you’re likely in love.
But we still have two more signs to go through. Let’s continue!
7) You’re willing to compromise
Compromise isn’t always the most romantic word, but it’s a crucial ingredient in any loving relationship.
I’ve learned from my own experience that you can’t always get your own way when you love someone. You have to learn to meet in the middle, to give and take.
It reminds me of a beautiful quote by Albert Einstein: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
In the context of love, this means that you need to keep adjusting, adapting, and compromising to keep your relationship balanced and moving forward.
If you find yourself willing to compromise for the sake of someone else’s happiness, then it’s a good indication that your feelings run deep.
But hold on! We still have one more sign to discuss. Let’s delve into it.
8) You can’t imagine your future without them
Here’s the raw truth, my friends. When you’re truly in love, the thought of a future without that person feels incomplete, even unthinkable.
You start including them in your plans, your dreams, your visions of what’s to come.
Not out of obligation, but because you genuinely can’t imagine what life would be like without them by your side.
It’s a powerful feeling that goes beyond infatuation or a mere crush. This is about seeing someone as an integral part of your life’s journey.
If you’ve started to see your future through a lens that includes this person, then it’s safe to say that you’ve grown to love them.
But remember, love is vast and complex. These signs are just guideposts. Always trust your feelings and follow your heart.
Conclusion
Recognizing love isn’t always straightforward. It’s a journey filled with ups and downs, joys and sorrows, clarity and confusion.
But if you’ve seen yourself in these signs, then there’s a good chance that you’ve grown to love someone deeply.
Remember, love is beautiful, magical, and always worth it.
So cherish these feelings and embrace the journey.
If you’d like to explore more about relationships and love, feel free to pick up my book Breaking The Attachment: How To Overcome Codependency in Your Relationship.
In it, I delve deeper into understanding and nurturing healthy relationships. Because at the end of the day, love is what makes this crazy ride called life worthwhile.
You’re never alone in your journey of love. I’m here with you every step of the way. Keep loving, my friends!
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