Slow dance (even if its just the white man’s shuffle), look into his eyes. How does he hold your hand? Is it extended outward, classicly? or rather keeping your hand close to his heart? Does he hold you away? Or bring you close, hip to hip, chest to chest? Does he kiss your neck? Does he care who’s watching?

To be completely honest, there are a million ways to tell. If you can be completely comfortable sitting and not saying anything. If they unlock the car door before you have a chance to get out your key. If, when you fight, you can’t stand the thought of going to sleep unresolved. If they help you feel beautiful in your own skin. If they see unique beauty in what you see as imperfections. If your friends can easily become his friends, and his friends can easily become your friends. Let’s face it, everyone has a list—whether it actually exists physically or it’s just in their head—the qualities and quirks of their ‘perfect’ person. When everyone says ‘you just know’ that’s mostly it, because love isn’t made from some cookie cutter and there isn’t some manual that says ‘this is what it looks like’. When you love someone, you know its real when you find someone who embodies your list. Until then, just be honest with yourself and don’t settle. Love is one thing you can’t compromise on.