1) They appreciate you

They thank you when you do something for them, no matter how small. They don’t ridicule your faults or ask you to change in any way. Even if your personality doesn’t perfectly align with theirs, they love you for all of your baggage, bad jokes, and beliefs. They make you feel respected, desirable, and safe.

2) They make time for you

No matter how busy they are, they make you a priority. They will drop off cookies at your office when you have three exams that weekend or answer your call in the middle of the night when you're having a panic attack. You know for a fact that if you needed them, they would drop everything to take care of you.

3) They do their best to love the people you love

They worry about making a good impression on your parents, getting on the good side of your brothers, and understanding your best friend’s humor. They plan on being in your life for a long time and are trying to become part of the group that loves and supports you most.

4) They want you to be your best

They encourage you to improve your talents and chase your dreams because they want you to be your happiest and best self. Even if your dreams are as bizarre as drawing dinosaur comics or going to law school, they believe in you and maybe even offer constructive criticism along the way. They encourage you to expand your knowledge and talents through education and hard work. They tell you to try out for your dream school or job, even if it means you’ll be away from them for a bit.

5) You want to be a better person for them

When you feel yourself making a genuine effort to be more honest, more loving, and more open, you know that you’re with the right person. Because you are with such an amazing person, you work hard to be every bit as amazing as they are.