1. Anything that shows you care
One time I told a girl I liked red plum jelly. Next time I stayed over she had red plum jelly in the fridge.
Honestly, guys like anything that shows that you care. We are very emotionally isolated most of the time.
— Rookwood
2. Made sure I was taken care of
I’m legally blind in my right eye and one girl I was dating always made a point to get seats on the right side of theaters so that I’d be able to see everything without turning my head. Really simple but it blew me away when I caught on to her.
— MachNeu
3. Kisses me on my back
I feel warm & loved when my girl comes up behind me and kisses me on the back. I can’t explain. It’s not sexual. It’s just awesome.
— RickTheFrog
4. Complimenting us!
Being complimented! Just out of nowhere, hearing something that they appreciate about me lets me know that 1) they are thinking about me and 2) that they are putting value on my actions and felt inclined to let me know about it. It just makes my day to hear 🙂
— molecularronin
5. Hands through hair
When she runs her hand through my hair.
— PigKnight
6. The smallest things
My girl will put toothpaste on my toothbrush when we’re getting ready for bed. It’s the smallest thing but it is super sweet.
— 5YEAROLDSCANPISSHIGH
7. A smile
When I walk in the Room and a get a subtle smile.
— Therealpbsquid
8. She packs my lunch
My bb packs my lunch everyday. When I open it up I get warm and fuzzies because I know she made it for me. I can also tell how she’s feeling by what’s packed. No yogurt usually means that’s she’s stressed, so if I don’t have yogurt I try to pick up more of the shared tasks like laundry or mowing. It could mean that we’re just out of yogurt too, but I try to not go grocery shopping. I’ll go in for yogurt and come out with a 2 lb bag of Skittles instead.
— Brady721
9. Communication!
I’ve found myself in a streak of being the only person putting effort into dating situations I’m involved in. So, for me, it’s simple things. Effort. Initiative. Communication… Because getting ghosted just sucks.
— husky54
10. Turning to face me
This might sound pretty minor, but whenever I speak to a girl sitting adjacent to me, if she turns her body around to directly face me, I always have to take a moment to pause and catch my wording.
I’m probably looking too into it, but I can’t help but feel that means they genuinely care about what I have to say.
11. Initiating contact
When she initiates any sort of romantic contact. Maybe a kiss or just gripping me tighter when cuddling and letting out a content sigh.
— Alcohol_n_Hate
12. Making a real effort
Effort. Your SO may not know exactly what you want or need, but as long as they try, that feels nice.
— JangWolly
13. Fun, cute gestures
So I’m traveling abroad for work right now, won’t get to see my girl for like six months. She sent me a stack of like 20 letters, each in a different colored envelope. Each one is labeled “Open when you’re happy” or “Open when you’re sad”, “Open when you can’t sleep”, etc. and every one contains like 2-3 pictures of us doing something together, and a letter to suit the situation.
It really brings a smile to my face, and makes the distance easier. I love my chick!
— JoeAgentofDOOM
14. Grab his hand while driving
If I’m driving and we’re just cruising on the highway and I’ve got my left hand on the wheel I just love it when she holds my right.
— GabrielKlute
15. Super adorable gifts
On Valentine’s Day or maybe it was our anniversary, she gave me a deck of cards labelled “52 Things I Love About You”, and each card had some unique little quirk of mine. Half of them were things I didn’t even realize I did. Absolutely melted my heart.
We’re not dating anymore, but I still hang onto that deck of cards, even though now it just makes me profoundly sad.
— SubtleOrange
16. Seriously, it’s the small stuff
Anything to let me know you were thinking about me. The smallest gesture or text or whatever. And touching me affectionately, like my arms or shoulders or my hair. I’ll absolutely melt.
— ketochangedme
17. Ask about our day
Pretend to care about my day. I know it might sound condescending, but I don’t mean it that way. After a 12 hour shift and hour commute each way I just need to talk to somebody, for a minute or two about my job that I know you don’t care about. Simply the attention and a hug can turn any stress around. That alone can mean so much.
18. Leaving notes
Notes. One time I came home to a note on the microwave saying “DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT jk it’s pizza”. I’m like, this girl fucking GETS me.
— nightbells
19. Wraps her arm around my arm
If I’m walking with a girl and she does the wrap her arms around my arm walk thing. It makes me feel so strong and amazing. Like I’m there simply to protect her and she feels completely safe with me. I love it.
— SailCaptainSail
20. Intense cuddles
When she buries her face in your chest and asks if you can keep her warm as she kisses your neck.
— The_EliD
21. Grabbing my hand
Taking my hand, at an unexpected moment, accompanied by a simple, genuine smile that expresses more than words could possibly say.
— Back2Bach
By Brittany Cox for ThoughtCatalog