The other day I was laughing with a friend about her escapades on a recent trip. She connected with some friends and they had a great time. There was one particular thing she said that stood out in my mind. One of her friends got sick while they were there. Apparently, he ate something that didn't agree with him which made him sick for a few days. They told him to drink some ginger ale, or go to the pharmacy for an antacid to settle his upset stomach. If that didn't work, she suggested that he go to the nearest emergency room. They advised him to pay attention to his body, because recently a number of people had died who were in their late 30s and 40s. His illness worsened, so he finally went to hospital. At the hospital his blood pressure was elevated from his stomach virus so they gave him something to bring it down and advised him to follow up with his primary care physician when he got home. I immediately asked her if he was single. Most men don't go to the doctor unless they have a woman in their life to make them. She revealed that he's been living with a woman for 10 years and they have yet to get married. I was shocked, but quickly recovered and responded, "She doesn't care about him and he needs to let her go". I thought about this story later because if you're with someone for that long and they haven't encouraged you to take care of your health, they don't love or care about you.
A person that loves you will always show it. One of the books that I recommend to people in any type of relationship is the Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. If you haven't read it, I encourage you to take some time to delve into it so that you have a better understanding of how people communicate their love. In fact, if you don't have time to read it, you can take the test here. Do you want to figure out if there are clues in your own life to determine if your partner or spouse truly loves and cares about you? Check these out:
SAYS YOUR NAME
Society has shown us that people think its cute to shorten our name before we give them permission or to use nicknames, pet names and terms of endearment before its time. When a person values you, they say your name. Not just when they want to rumble in the sheets, but all of the time. At the end of the day all we have is our name, and we want our partner to love it and feel just as comfortable with it as we do.
SPENDS TIME WITH YOU
A person who cares and loves you wants to spend time with you. They don't do it out of obligation but because they genuinely enjoy being with you. Even though we all are busy, we make time for the people we care about.
IS AFFECTIONATE
When you're affectionate with your partner, you're being intimate beyond your sexual nature. Touching a hand, caressing a face, putting your feet in their lap is a physical closeness that suggests there is a deep connection.
RESPECTS YOUR VIEWS
Democrat or republican, conservative or liberal, a partner that loves you respects your views. They're able to understand that your views provide a different perspective and ultimately they inform who you are.
INCLUDES YOU IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS
In a relationship decisions have to be made about everything from gender roles, how to raise the kids, to where you're going to vacation this year. People that care about each other seek out and hear the other persons views on the issues. A decision is then made in which both parties provide input.
MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF
Having a partner that loves and cares about you boosts your sense of self-worth and identity. They make you feel valued so that you can be your best self in every way. When your partner makes you feel good, you'll not only enjoy the times that you spend together, but you'll value the times you spend apart. We are more confident when we are loved and cared for. Only then can we conquer the world.
Do you want to know the remaining signs that indicate you partner is into you?
Stay tuned for Part 2.