1. He remembers important dates.

It never fails to make me smile when I get a text that says "Good luck on your test today, sweetheart! I know you will do great." Especially when I haven't mentioned the exam in 3 days. My S.O. remembers when I tell him what I'm doing and what's important to me. He also wished me a happy month-aversary every month, for the entire first year that we dated. It was very sweet. It made me feel appreciated, and like our time together was meaningful to him. It means so much to me to know that I am heard and that what goes on in my life is important to my S.O., too.

2. He offers me the last of everything.

It took me a little while to realize that he offers me the last, and the most of everything.

"Sweetheart would you like an orange?"

"Sure, thank you!"

Gleefully ripping into my orange I would ask "Where's yours?" and he would, of course, say, "Oh that's the last one. Enjoy!"

That was a light bulb moment. Like really? Who does that? He is selfless and generous and always wants to see me happy. It has been a fun exercise to learn that what he offers me, he often wants himself, but wants me to have first dibs just in case. Now, I make my best effort to make sure he feels welcome to whatever he wants, even if I have to make a big fuss about how much I don't need it before he will take it.

Don't worry, we shared the last of everything until I figured it out, including that orange. Now I just say "I'm good! Take what you like, love!"

3. He opens the car door for me.

Literally, every time I have gotten into his car since we started dating, he has opened the door for me. Obviously, he knows I am fully capable of opening and closing the door myself, but he chooses to do it for me anyway. Sometimes the car is insanely hot and I have to open the door again so I can breathe, but the message is still the same. "I love you, and I put you first."

4. He shares the details of his life with me.

We don't live together, so most of our days are spent apart. We text often throughout the day, but the phone calls are always magic. We catch up at the end of our days with actual, real, phone calls! Sometimes FaceTime, but usually just a voice call. I feel incredibly lucky to be someone he can trust with all the details of his life. I hear about work, family, his personal goings-on, and I never get "Good." as an answer to "How was your day today?" I always get the full story, usually with photos if there was good food involved. He includes me in his life even when I can't be there in person.

5. He never holds back an "I love you." or a "You're beautiful."

I am a show, don't tell kind of person. Then, on our first date, he told me my voice was mellifluous. It was a new word for me, and one of the best compliments I've ever received. If I send him photos we took together he always says how cute I am, or pretty. When we're together he tells me I am beautiful. When I accomplish something, he tells me he's proud of me. Every day, multiple times a day, he tells me he loves me. To be so openly cared for and admired by someone who is himself incredibly handsome and wonderful has been a lesson in true love and strength. He doesn't shy away when I share my affections, and he's not afraid of commitment or being loved.