When you love someone, you don’t act like spending time with them is a chore. You don’t act like they’re bothering you when they text you in the middle of the day. You don’t make them feel like they are annoying you with their affection.
When you love someone, you don’t rely on them to take care of all of the planning. You don’t wait for them to initiate every kiss, every text, every hangout session. You don’t sit on your ass because you couldn’t care less about whether you get to see them soon or have to wait another week.
When you love someone, you don’t exclude them when you hang out with your friends on weekends. You don’t go to parties without inviting them as your plus-one. You don’t spend the majority of your time without them.
When you love someone, you don’t make a big deal when they ask for a small favor. You don’t whine the entire time you’re out shopping with them. You don’t act like you would rather be anywhere else than beside them.
When you love someone, you don’t make jokes about the pieces of themselves they are secretly insecure about. You don’t stare at attractive strangers as they pass by your restaurant table. You don’t complain to your friends about how difficult they are to love.
When you love someone, you make them feel wanted. You never let them second guess themselves.
When you love someone, you say those three little words as much as possible. You compliment them when they come out of the bathroom looking beautiful. You regularly remind them of how lucky you feel to have them in your world.
When you love someone, you remind them of how special they are every single day, either with your words or your actions. You kiss them on the forehead before leaving for work. You text them throughout the day to let them know how much you miss them. You wrap them in your arms the second you get home because you couldn’t take another second away from them.
When you love someone, you actively try to include them in your world. You introduce them to your parents. You invite them out with your friends. You ask them if they want to watch your favorite show with you or play your favorite game with you because you would have more fun as a team. You make room for them in your life instead of pushing them to the sidelines.
When you love someone, you make a point to show them how much you appreciate them. You buy them little presents just because. You thank them whenever you catch them washing the dishes or folding the laundry, even if it’s technically their turn. You vocalize your feelings for them so they never have to guess what is going on inside your mind.
When you love someone, you want them to feel beautiful. Valuable. Loved. You want them to see themselves the same way you see them.
By Holly Riordan for ThoughtCatalog