In my teenage to young adult years, I've learned a lot about relationships by going through some failed, some successful, and some in between. No matter how successful they were or weren't, they have all been key learning experiences that I am now comfortable sharing. For a 20-year-old, I'd consider myself fairly mature when it comes to relationships and have pulled different aspects from each relationship I have withheld to exemplify in this article.

My inner Carrie Bradshaw is certainly the stem for this article, but I think it is important for everyone to find their inner Carrie in order to understand what they need from a relationship to satisfy their own unique needs and what they can personally give. However, I've compiled several important factors that I believe should reach everyone, and I am here to share them with you.

Wait for someone who appreciates you.

Appreciation is truly one of the most important factors in a relationship. Too many people idolize the idea of a relationship, having that closeness with someone, and finding companionship, and will lower their standards in order to find that. Appreciation is one of the keys to building a healthy relationship and must be maintained day in and day out. It brings out the greatness and potential of any relationship and re-ignites the love that is there. By showing appreciation for each other, you connect to each other and grow together. Finding someone who appreciates you, and who you appreciate willingly, will evolve your relationship and take more responsibility for the way you are with others.

Wait for someone who reminds you of your inner beauty more than your outer.

I guarantee that almost everyone’s initial interest in a stranger is solely based on physical appearance. However, for any relationship to grow, it must go deeper than someone’s interest in how you look. I personally look for someone’s intelligence, compassion for others, and personal strength. Obviously I don’t disregard looks, but I consider that a bonus. I want someone to feel that way about me too. Finding someone who is attracted to you because you have goals or because you have a passion for helping others speaks more than someone attracted to you because you have the right curves in the right places. Wait for someone who will remind you of your inner beauty and will showcase that to everyone freely.

Wait for someone who wants to meet your family.

My family is the single most important thing in my life. I have a very close, tight-knit family that has supported me and all of my endeavors for my entire existence. Not only do I seek someone who feels the same way about family in general, but I seek someone who is eager to meet mine. There is nothing more attractive than someone expressing interest in your family, whether that is asking about your childhood, holding mature conversations with your parents, or playing catch with your younger siblings.

Wait for someone who challenges you.

Millennials often overlook this one. Personally, I have found that my most successful relationships were the ones where I was challenged intellectually by my partner. I have a strong opinion that finding a partner that challenges you in certain aspects, and you to them in others, is vital in maintaining a strong relationship. Each individual has unique attributes and are more inclined in certain aspects than others.

Find someone who might be more politically apt than you who will challenge you to broaden your perspectives and political knowledge. Find someone who might not be as intellectually stimulated as you are so that you can push them to reach their fullest potential. A relationship should never be one sided and should always consist of each partner not only challenging each other, but encouraging them simultaneously.

Wait for someone who doesn’t try to change your flaws, but rather loves you for them.

Often times in relationships, we focus on the faults and mistakes of our partner, feeling the obligatory urge to change them. When someone recognizes your flaws and instantly becomes a God-like figure attempting to change who you are, they aren’t the one for you. Your flaws are what make you human, and what constantly motivate you to better yourself. The only person that should even think about changing you is yourself, because how you view yourself trumps anyone else’s perspective. The right person is someone who accepts your flaws and builds your confidence about them.

Wait for someone who complements you.

I am not talking about literal compliments, but why partners need complementary strengths. I am a very mellow, laid-back person that is somewhat introverted. My personality does not necessarily fit perfectly with a high energy, constantly moving personality. It is extremely important to find someone who balances you out, along with bringing out your best attributes. Partnerships best happen when you and someone who has strengths that complement yours join forces to focus on a single goal.

Your strengths cancel out your partner’s weaknesses, and vice versa. Together, you can accomplish things that you might not be able to separately. You have to understand what you personally bring to the combination, and equally important, what you don’t. Recognize your weaknesses, thrive on your abilities, and understand how someone else’s abilities complement your own.

Slow yourself down and wait for that special someone to come. I will be the first one to say that good things come when you stop searching for them. Remember what you can give, what you need, and what you deserve.