1. Offers you genuine friendship

   Everyone wants someone who can be their best friend through thick and thin. We want someone with whom we can share our deepest thoughts as well as with whom we can have fun with.

2. Kind and Compassionate

   What kind of heart does he or she have? Does he take in stray animals or does she volunteer to help the sick? And how forgiving is his or her nature? Is she kind to you and empathize with you when you’ve had a bad day?

3. Encouraging and Supportive

   Our hope is that our partner becomes our greatest fan. Some dating tips for men include that you cheer her on during difficult times, and don’t forget to tell her you believe in her. She supports you by taking care of the kids at night while you go back to school.

4. A Sense of Being Understood

   Being seen and being known is the biggest gift you can give someone. Actually hearing them and acknowledging that you’ve heard them is very powerful. The key relationship issue is acceptance of who we are is what we all strive for.

5. Being Appreciative

   The ability to recognize when someone has gone out of your way or done something nice for you is a lost art. Just saying these simple words, “I appreciate what you have done” just makes someone’s day. One can never express too much appreciation! This is also important dating advice for women.

6. Ability to be Intimate

   Being willing to show your true self to another does take guts and trust. Making yourself vulnerable to another is not an everyday occurrence. Allowing someone to get to know you and love you just the way you are, for better or worse is not for the faint-hearted.

7. Respectful

   Being able to remain respectful of another although you may not agree with the person does take a lot of class. It’s even harder to treat someone with respect when you are under stress. Always treat each other like delicate China where you can break your strong bond with the slip of a hurtful tongue. Nasty remarks and put downs are damaging to any relationship.

8. Open and willing to work on enhancing the relationship

   Open and honest communication is the key to any relationship. As part of a couple, you need to be willing to listen to constructive comments and requests from your partner. It’s important to hear your partner’s side and visa versa. If you reach a deadlock without any viable solutions, be willing to seek help from an impartial third party to resolve major relationship issues.

9. Trustworthy

   Trust is built over time and many positive encounters with someone. Does this person follow up when he/she says they will? Is this someone you have found you can count on? Trust is the foundation of any relationship.

10. Thinks and acts in a “we” manner, not a “me” manner

    Does your potential partner think of how his or her actions will affect you? Are your thoughts and feelings taken into consideration? Is there a goal of compromise for the sake of the relationship? A relationship cannot survive on “me” alone!

These are the 10 qualities you would want to look for in a “Motivated to Marry” mate. Only you know which qualities are more important to you and must be present in a person to be happy. Good luck with your search. He or she is out there waiting for you!

1. There is a feeling of “home”

   There is a sense of comfort and a familiarity. The word recognition comes up as knowing that this person is the one. It’s like you have known the person your whole life. It’s so easy to talk to one another.

2. There is a Flow

   The relationship has ease. The couples finish each other’s sentences. Time just flies when you are with the right person. Yes, relationships take work, but this is joyous work. The concept of flow is true for both in and out of the bedroom!

3. You are able to laugh together and have fun

   You enjoy being with each other and get each other’s jokes. You may not have exactly the same humor, but you at least crack a smile. My husband and I both blew straw wrappings at each other like kids! It’s okay to be silly with this person. The couple has fun doing activities together and shares similar interests.

4. You are each other’s best friend

   There is a sense of trust and loyalty. You know your partner will be there for you through thick and thin and can be counted on. You want to share everything with this person- the good and the bad stuff. You are always excited to see that person walk in the door.

5. You both act in a “we” way rather than a “me” way

   The couple makes decisions that benefit the relationship instead of only the individual. You share life goals and work together towards them. You care about how your actions affect the other. When all these signs are in place, then it is natural to want to take the next step towards marriage. The only relationship issues that would stop the progress would be one or both listening to their internal fears and various external circumstances beyond their control like a sick parent or their work travel.

When Nancy realized that several of these signs were missing in her current relationship, she became clear that there were critical relationship issues between her and Barry. Only then did she decide to move on and find someone better suited to her rather than hoping that things would change in her present situation. This wasn’t the easy path, but she was determined not to settle for anything less.