15 Signs You've Found "the One" (and Should Never Let Them Go)

It doesn't matter if you skinned your knee, got a new job, or saw a really cute dog — that special someone is the person you want to share the news with right away. And here's how you really know you have a great partner: no matter how mundane or silly your news may be, they'll always react just as you hoped they would.

When you've found a great partner, you'll never have any reason to lie to them or hide the truth. You know that they'll understand no matter what you tell them because they love and accept you for exactly who you are, not a person you have to pretend to be.

Here's the thing: you're weird. Luckily, your partner is probably just as weird as you are. When you've found your partner for life, it means finding someone who not only accepts your weirdness, but loves you for it — as long as you accept and love their quirkiness in return.

They don't have to text you, "Where are you?" or "What do you want to do for dinner?" because they already know. And it has nothing to do with controlling or monitoring you — a great partner simply knows you inside and out and doesn't need constant reminding that you don't like tomatoes or that you take a Pilates class on Thursdays after work. They just remember.

A wonderful partner would never want to damage your self esteem. They only care about lifting you up, not putting you down. Even if they offer you constructive criticism, it's only because they want to see you grow, not change.

Even if they don't think it's such a great idea for you to drop out of grad school or dye your hair pink, a partner for life will back you on any decision you make, as long as they know that it's really what you want. And they don't blindly support you — they'll make sure that you totally understand the outcome of your decision before you make it, but once you're made up your mind, they've got your back.

You should never settle for less than your best, and a truly great partner will help you see all of your potential. They will not hound you or bully you into improving yourself, but they will nudge you in a way that is productive and — in the end — rewarding, and they'll do it because they care.

Making conversation with your special someone should never feel like work. No matter how much time you spend together or apart, chatting with a partner for life should be an easy, stress-free experience because you can talk to them about anything and everything.

When you're with a great partner, you won't feel the need to fill every silence with words. You may never run out of conversational topics, but that doesn't mean you two aren't also completely comfortable enjoying some quiet time together as well.

As wonderful as traveling is, it can also be stressful and exhausting, and a great partner will only make the journey more enjoyable. Sure, you may bicker a bit when you get lost or can't decide on a place for lunch, but if you can deal with potential jet lag and airport delays together, then you can tackle anything.

You don't have to worry about a partner for life being true to you because you can't imagine them being anything but honest. Anytime they offer advice, constructive criticism, or compliments, you believe them, because a great partner should have no reason to mislead you.

It doesn't matter if the two of you are paying a visit to your grandparents or spending a lazy Sunday chilling on the couch together — a great partner will make you feel content in any situation (even if it's not one that's worthy of an Instagram post).

From car rides to vacations, any experience would be improved for you if your special person came along. You know you have someone special when — no matter where you go or what you do — you wish your partner was with you to share in the experience (and inevitably make it better just by being there).

A great partner is just that: a partner in all things, both good and bad. You may introduce them to other people as a significant other, but a partner for life should also feel like your best friend, with whom you can be your silliest, realest self (even if that means looking and acting far from sexy sometimes).

It's healthy and important to feel comfortable spending time away from a partner, but that doesn't mean you can't miss them. If you've found "the one," you might miss them even when they take a bathroom break while you're watching TV — you just love them so much that their absence is always felt, no matter how short or long the time is that you're apart.