From butterflies in your tummy to weak knees, that indescribable feeling you get when talking to someone you like. That excitement manifests itself physically. Blood rushes to your face and makes your cheeks blush with every quip they make. Your body knows when your brain still doesn’t comprehend (or refuses to) what’s happening. And oh lord, it knows what you are getting yourself into!
Sometimes, you want the things to work out between you so bad that you ignore all the red flags being thrown your way from the beginning. And it’s understandable. Yet, as the famous quote by an unknown author says, “Ignoring the red flags because you want to see the good in people will cost you later.” So don’t wait until time tells your story. Although you can’t predict the future and things might work out for the two of you, the red signals we ignore at the beginning of the relationship are often why they fall apart. But maybe it’s about the journey? Who knows.
However, today we’ll be looking at the opposite, the “green flags” or the positive traits people have noticed in their partners that led to a happy, fulfilling relationship. Scroll below and see what people on the Ask Reddit community had to share, and some are really wholesome!
More info: Reddit
#1
Image source: ChockBox
I grew up in an angry, volatile home. Anything could make the “adults” snap and go on a rampage.
When my then boyfriend, now husband, and I came home to find a major leak in the bedroom ceiling, which had leaked all over the bed and caused significant damage, he just flatly said, “Well, sh*t.” And called the building manager. No screaming, no throwing things, no blaming anyone, just a calm acceptance and then action to rectify the problem. We’re going on 16 years married and 20 years together.
#2
Didn’t minimize or invalidate my emotions.
Image source: elizacandle
#3
Image source: CounterTouristsWin
Before my wife and I were dating, I very quickly noticed that she always invited the loners to join in the conversation. If she noticed someone we knew sitting alone, she’d always extend an invitation to join or ask their opinion.
#4
She was always happy to hear about the things I did that I was proud of, even if they were objectively stupid or trivial.
Image source: braxistExtremist
#5
Image source: frustrated_away8
My partner never made fun of me or acted condescending when I didn’t know something. They were also humble when it came to gaps in their knowledge too.
#6
Showed real efforts in trying to improve/grow from their own traumas or baggage.
Image source: elizacandle
#7
Image source: Sexy_Sideburns_Guy
Early on, she encouraged me to be more like me. Things that other people in my life didn’t like about me or things that my ex told me not to do, she would embrace. things like taking risks on new hobbies, seeking attention in conversations, my particular humor; she liked these things about me.
All of that, and of course, dat a*s! – Truth.
#8
Image source: unfollowingyou
I confessed about my anxiety disorder and he didn’t use it to his advantage or make me feel broken or guilty for it.
#9
Image source: Sir_Loin-Steak
I hate being tickled, but I am very ticklish. She discovered it early in the relationship, and I asked her once to not tickle me. She has never tickled me again in the following 10 years. Just shows respect.
#10
Image source: Electronic-Worry4666
I noticed that people genuinely liked him, even strangers. And he’d smile at babies.
#11
Image source: noahlantz
I have an autistic sister. She’s currently 20 with the mental capacity of a three-year-old. Not everyone knows how to handle that. Well, 4 years ago when my girlfriend met my family, the two immediately became best friends. My girlfriend has always cared so much for my sister and would even sit with her while I wasn’t home so my mom could go have a life for herself.
To this day, my sister smiles and laughs like a mad man when she sees my girlfriend. I don’t know how much information she can retain but they’ve always loved each other, and I think my gf has had a huge impact on her life.
#12
Image source: stephndunne
I’d rather spend time with her doing nothing than doing something with anyone else.
#13
Image source: Todbringe98
Being able to discuss anything, even flaws, without them/me getting mad. Communication is the most important thing in a healthy relationship. (Love is just as important, though, I guess).
#14
Image source: djkmart
She isn’t afraid to have a different opinion than mine, but she always hears me out, and she ALWAYS supports me.
Every time I phrase something about myself in a negative way, she reframes it for me in a different light, and more often than not it pulls me out of a dark mood. In my previous relationship, I felt awfully critiqued for just being the person who I was, and that critique would often make me feel guilty for not meeting the standards set for me by my SO. Now that I’ve got a partner who celebrates who I am, I realise all along that I’ve been holding myself back from just doing what makes me happy.
#15
Image source: addicted_to_blistex
The first time we had sex, I got my period and didn’t realize until we were done and I went to the bathroom to pee. It wasn’t a ton of blood but I know it was enough to have gotten on him and the sheet. I walked out of the bathroom and he was standing in the doorway of the room and said something like “is everything okay? Did you get your period or something?” And then we both smiled big and started cracking up and he was totally cool and sweet. The next morning he invited me to go sheet shopping with him because he “needed new ones anyway and wants me to like the ones he picks”.
That was about 9 years ago.
#16
Image source: Travel_The_World
He can laugh at himself.
#17
Image source: MissIscariot
I was able to express my emotions and thoughts without him getting angry or judgy. He fearlessly lets me have my feelings without trying to change them, we talk them out and it feels so much better afterwards. I feel like I could tell him absolutely anything, so the trust between us is more solid than I’ve ever had with anyone else.
Gah, he’s just the best.
Also hot af.
#18
Image source: Yivo9
Evaluating my needs, something as simple as offering me some of their water after getting it for themselves.
#19
Image source: dirtyw82
We trusted each other to go out alone and have fun with friends of the opposite sex. No jealousy, just faith that you’d do the right thing.
Source: with her for 14 years and [married] for 9.
#20
Image source: Cigbraz
I have Crohn’s disease and was always kinda ashamed to be with someone, even if it’s just for a night. When I started dating her, I thought I [had] won the lottery. Zero fear of what she would think because she was always so good to me and supportive, even in the bathroom. Best girlfriend ever.
