We’ve all seen people refer to their significant other as their “other half.” That sounds serious. Some people reject the notion, clinging onto their individualism, while others embrace the change. But when does it happen? There’s a lot of drama over saying “I love you,” but being someone’s “other half” sounds much more devoted. So how do you know?
Here are five signs you’ve made the distinct transition into being someone’s other half.

1. You debate, not fight.

This distinction is very important. It shows that you’re not trying to avoid fighting. Making an effort not to fight is worse than fighting itself – it hinders communication and bottles up emotion, so that’s terrible. Worse is when you fight just to fight or fight over petty things. When you get to a certain point, your fights become more like debates. This means you know they won’t result in a breakup, but you have to get something off of your chest and you both argue your position. And at the end of the day, you know you’re still in love.

2. Your differences make you stronger.

You’ve determined the areas in which you two function differently and you can use it to your advantage. I have a more creative mind, and my boyfriend is much more practical. If he needs help on ideas for a paper, I got him covered. If I need help with my broken computer, he can fix it right away. If he’s stressed about something, I can help him see it in a different light and he feels better. If I’m stressed, he looks at it practically and it always calms me down.

3. You use each other, in a good way.

You both do so much for each other. You know it’s not one-sided, and you feel 100 percent comfortable asking for favors. Whenever either of us has a huge workload, the first thing one of us asks the other is, “How can I help?” You can ask for rides, food, groceries, housework, homework, anything. The best part is, neither of you will be annoyed about being asked to do this – you’ll be happy because you know you’re taking weight off of their back.

4. They know exactly how to make you happy.

Anyone can get a girl chocolates or stuffed animals and leave her a note and she’ll be pretty happy, if not with the gifts then at least with the effort. Nope, your boyfriend knows that what you need is to get Taco Bell and watch "Ancient Aliens," or ice cream and kayaking or even just a nap. Everyone has a meltdown at one point or another – for some it’s pretty often – so finding someone who can bring you peace every time is amazing.

5. You can be 100 percent yourself (corny, I know, but…)

I do not remove my makeup for anyone. Ever. I always have something on. It’s an issue, insecurity, but I don’t wear it with him and I still feel OK. You can talk about any number of disgusting things, bodily functions, whatever, and it’s cool. Basically, there’s no difference in how I’d act in a room by myself or in a room with him. Who wants to be with someone who makes you feel compromised by being in their presence? And they love you for being you, no matter what weird or gross thing you can possibly do.