2021 is here and you are still single even worse confused on whether your relationship is on the right track. How can one really recognize the signs a relationship is getting serious?
Is it when you’re no longer embarrassed to be seen in the same clothes days in a row? At some point, you’re going to ask yourself whether this is the real deal.
With today’s hookup culture, ability to find a new date with the swipe of your phone, and “grass is greener” mentality, you may not always know the signs of a relationship moving forward but that’s where the LOVE JUNGLE comes in.
We have made research and not just come with ideas. Below, 15 people share their real-life romantic tales of how they knew that they were no longer casually dating but actually in a relationship that was getting serious.
When you feel comfortable enough to tell your dirty secrets
“When you start opening up about your fears, demons, dark secrets, and the like, it shows that you're comfortable being vulnerable with this person and that you truly trust them to accept you as you are.
When we were dating, I told my now husband some things that I'd never uttered out loud before, and it was the biggest relief not only to get it off my chest but to know that he'd keep my secrets without judging me for them. That's when I knew things were getting serious.” Phiona 36
When he proposes
“For me he just has to bend the knee, and ask me to marry him that’s when I confirm it’s serious,” serah 27
When you get a pet together
“I knew my relationship was serious for a while, but I knew we were definitely going to get married when, less than a week after moving in together in our first apartment, he suggested we get a puppy.
He knew I loved dogs, at this moment I just kissed him I gave him my forever. We both take the care of the dog very seriously, so I knew that not only was he in this relationship with me forever but he was also in this with our dog forever.
We both agree that even though it was a very spontaneous decision, it was one of the best we ever made.” Tracy 26
When they want to meet your family
“They want to meet my parents/family and they are the one to initiate that conversation—not me.” Frances 29
When you just know you’re spending the weekend together
“When we got to the point that we were discussing what we were going to do over the weekend, rather than if we were getting together. It was assumed.” Dorothy 24
When you start wanting to stay in
“Even though we hadn't met face-to-face yet, I was turning down opportunities to go out with my friends that I used to go out with all the time in order to spend more time chatting with him online.
It was when I realized I was doing this consistently that I said we had to meet or cut off contact all this happened in the previous lock down”Jessica 28
When they start talking about love
“With the way he looked at me, I could tell he was in love before he said it. He also kept coming close to saying he loved me without saying it so, alluding to it.
Also, when he introduced me to his friends, I knew he wouldn't do that unless he wanted me to stick around.” Stella, 24
When even your gateman knows
“Telling my gateman that I gave my partner a key felt like such a huge relationship moment.” Derrick 30
When you start leaving things at each other’s houses
“We wanted to spend more time together; you leave items at each other's places during the week toothbrush, T-shirt, etc. you go shopping together,” Daniel 24
When you plan your weekend around time together
“Before we started dating, we often went for live band together. As things became more serious, this became a standing date, turned into Sunday plot and lunch, then eventually turned into nights together.” Ashley, 25
When you actually meet the parents
“Meeting the parents! It’s proof that he wants you to know about his personal life, and that he’s not hiding you from the people he most likely values the most.” Hillary 31
When conversations begin with “we”
“He talks about the future in ‘we’ instead of ‘I.’” Susan 34
When you spend every night together
“Spending every night together. Trading off who pays for dates to keep it balanced. Getting a pet together.” Peter 28
When you embrace their family as your own
“You start to feel and act like your partner's family is yours as well. You take the time and energy to attend family events, whether it's a Sunday dinner, a funeral, or a holiday party.
If your partner doesn't have family nearby, maybe you're making more efforts with their circle of friends.” Betty 23
When you realize you care about their well-being
“When you start to tear up when you realize just how much you care about them and their well-being.” Michelle 22
When being together feels like coming home
“As a 45-year-old woman, I have had the opportunity to be in several serious relationships. Although each partnership had a different flavor and lasted varying lengths of time, what they had in common was that the seeds that were planted in the initial few weeks to few months blossomed magnificently.
One of the signals that indicated things were going deeper was just a feeling of a sense of home with him and that I was able to be the best version of myself in this relationship.” Mercy 45