Often, when you meet up, friends ask about your relationship and maybe the people who don’t know your significant other, ask for more details about him/her. Out of respect, they might just ask how things are going. And you answer with a cavalier response. “Things are great” or “All is well” comes out without even thinking – a kneejerk reaction that allows the conversation to move on to the topic your friend really wants to talk about.

We dismiss these standard-issue quips without even thinking, but truth be told, there are a ton of benefits of being in a relationship. Even more if you're in the relationship with your best friend and the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. No one ever brings them up when things are good. Instead, they either focus on the bad aspects or choose to gloss over a stable, happy relationship with a meaningless retort. Without recognizing the added benefits that your significant other brings to your life, it’s tough to truly appreciate them. If you think about your relationship, you truly are lucky to have that person in your life.

You always have someone to text or g-chat when something amazing happens. Or if something horrible happens. If you get a new desk at work, you know there is at least one person who will reciprocate your joy over the little change. If you step in gum while walking to the subway, they're there to curse all gum chewers in the world with you.

You introduce each other to different cultures. Chances are, even if you are from the same hometown, your significant other will have a different background, a different family, and a different story. Letting your two histories become entwined like two threads being woven together is an experience you can't get from other places. New people, new food, and new family secrets - all helping to bring two different pieces of the same puzzle together.

The security of being with the one you love also brings a freedom with it. Knowing that you will grow old with this person gives you the ability to try new experiences without the fear of the other person thinking you're insane. Chances are, if they are with you, they already know the level of your insanity and have accepted it. They already know that when someone says a certain word it will trigger a reaction inside of you to sing a Broadway song in the middle of a busy street. And they've accepted that. This security they grant you is a carte blanche of sorts that allows you to be your true self, because they have accepted you, and you them.

You can tell them your greatest wishes and your deepest fears. They know that you want to quit your job and start your own company. Or write a book. Or travel the world. And they know that you hate it when people walk slowly in front of you on the sidewalk or take up two seats on the subway. But they’re there to calm you down and to support you.

You end up having the same hobbies and watching the same TV shows. It happens not only because of the desire to always be with them but also because you want to do the things they do. It isn’t out of an obligation; you genuinely want to share their interests and they want to share yours.

But none of these are as great as getting to end any day, regardless of what happened, by holding them in your arms and saying "I love you" before you fall asleep. Waking up next to them is a close second, but there is something special about the pillow talk and the cuddling that occurs in that twilight state before falling asleep. The lights are off and you are vulnerable.

Yet when they are there, lying on your chest and holding you tightly, the vulnerability doesn't matter. Tears, laughter, crazy stories – all these can happen in this moment because of the closeness. You talk about where you want to go, what you want to be, and why life is the way it is. Something about lying together in the dark removes the fear and doubts, and brings a normally unreachable level of emotional intimacy.

And then you slowly drift off, entangled physically, emotionally, and spiritually with your love. That is the greatest part of a relationship, even if no one ever asks about it.