Finding love feels a lot like wandering through a maze—you’re hopeful, excited, maybe a little lost, and always searching for that one person who gets you.

Love is deeper than the initial butterflies. It’s something that lasts when the sparkly newness wears off.

I’ve learned that a relationship with staying power isn’t just a lucky break. You need to be able to find those qualities that make love stick around for the long haul.

So, if you’re wondering whether your relationship is built to last, let’s take a closer look. I’ve put together nine signs that might just point you in the right direction.

1) Deep respect

In relationships with long-term potential, a deeper level of admiration and regard for each other is essential.

In a truly strong relationship, both partners deeply respect each other. They value each other’s opinions, beliefs, and aspirations. They see each other as equals and treat each other with the same level of respect.

This deep respect is crucial. Research shows that respect is one of the fundamental bases of most close relationships.

A study involving 314 college students found that partners who were perceived to have extremely high respect for each other received significantly more favorable ratings in terms of love, relationship satisfaction, commitment, and self-disclosure.

Respect is key to a lasting relationship. If you and your partner genuinely respect each other, you’re likely building something that can endure.

2) You’re each other’s safe space

In my own relationship, I’ve found that one of the biggest signs of long-term potential is that we are each other’s safe haven.

Let me explain. When the world gets too chaotic, when everything around us is just too much, we turn to each other for comfort and solace.

We can let our guards down, be our true selves without any fear of judgment or ridicule.

For instance, I remember this one time when I had an extremely stressful day at work. Things had gone wrong left and right, and I was on the verge of breaking down.

But the moment I saw my partner, all that stress seemed to melt away. They listened to me vent, offered words of comfort and understanding, and even made me a hot cup of tea.

In that moment, I realized how truly comforting their presence was to me. I knew then that we had something special – something with long-term potential.

The ability to provide emotional safety and comfort to each other is a strong indicator that your relationship has what it takes to go the distance.

3) Shared values

Values form the bedrock of our identities. They guide our decisions, shape our perspectives, and influence how we interact with the world around us.

In a relationship, having shared values can be a strong indicator of long-term potential. And I don’t mean liking the same music or enjoying the same food. Think deeper, more foundational beliefs.

For instance, consider the topic of honesty. If one partner values honesty above all else, but the other tends to bend the truth, it can lead to friction and distrust.

Research by Travis G. Parry, Ph.D., found that shared values, particularly those related to religion, family, and marriage, are significantly associated with marital happiness and individual well-being.

So if you and your partner share core values, you’re not just compatible on a superficial level—you’re aligned on a deeper level, too.

This alignment could signify that your relationship has real long-term potential.

4) Open communication

It’s often said that communication is key in a relationship, and it’s true.

A relationship with real long-term potential thrives on open and honest communication. You should feel free to express your feelings, your worries, your joys, and even your fears without the fear of being judged or dismissed.

You should feel comfortable discussing anything with your partner, from your daily happenings to your deepest insecurities. And they should feel the same.

If you and your partner can communicate openly and honestly with each other, you’re on the right track. This level of understanding and connection is a strong indicator of a relationship with real long-term potential.

5) A healthy balance of togetherness and individuality

In a relationship with real long-term potential, there is a beautiful balance between togetherness and individuality.

Sure, spending quality time together is important. But equally important is respecting each other’s individual space and interests.

Every person needs some alone time to relax, unwind, and pursue their own interests. And a partner who understands this is a keeper.

If you and your partner can effortlessly switch between enjoying shared activities and respecting each other’s individuality, it’s a good sign.

This balance of togetherness and individuality is crucial for the long-term health and happiness of a relationship.

6) Unconditional love

There’s a love that’s pure, deep, and unconditional, and it goes beyond the mundane, beyond the superficial.

This is the kind of love that exists in a relationship with true long-term potential. It shows in loving each other through the ups and downs, through the best of times and the worst of times.

It also shows in accepting each other’s flaws and imperfections. Both partners understand that nobody is perfect, and still choose to love each other wholeheartedly.

If you’ve found a love like this, cherish it. It’s rare, it’s beautiful, and it could very well be a sign that you’re in a relationship with real long-term potential.

7) Mutual growth

In my journey, I’ve realized that a relationship with long-term potential isn’t limited to just growing old together. Both partners make it a point to grow together.

When I look back at my relationship, I see not just the passage of time, but an evolution. We’ve grown together, learned together, and changed together.

There was a time when I struggled with self-doubt and insecurity. It was during this period that my partner proved to be my pillar of support.

They constantly encouraged me, believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

Their faith in me pushed me to work on myself, to grow as a person. And as I grew, so did our relationship. We evolved together.

If you and your partner inspire each other to become better versions of yourselves, it’s a powerful sign of a relationship with long-term potential.

8) Trust

Faithfulness is only one part of trust. Full trust is the confidence that your partner will stand by you, no matter what. It’s the assurance that they will support you, and you will do the same for them.

John Gottman, a leading marriage expert, emphasizes the critical role of trust in relationships.

His extensive research has shown that trust goes beyond avoiding betrayal; it involves ensuring that both partners consistently act in each other’s best interests, even during disagreements.

Gottman’s findings reveal that strong trust leads to greater stability and positive outcomes in relationships.

If you can confide in your partner without hesitation, rely on them in times of need, and feel certain they’ll stay with you through thick and thin—congratulations!

You’re likely in a relationship with real long-term potential.

9) Shared vision of the future

The most important sign of a relationship with long-term potential is a shared vision of the future.

It’s not just about being in love now. It’s about envisioning a future together, making plans, and working towards common goals.

If you and your partner can dream together, if your visions for the future align, then you’re not just living in the present.

You’re building towards a shared future. And that’s a sign of a relationship with real long-term potential.

Final thoughts

Here’s the truth about love: there’s no defined checklist or some magical formula. It’s something that two people agree to do together, hand in hand—every twist, turn, and detour along the way.

And let’s be real, it’s not always smooth sailing. But if you’re with someone who respects you, makes you feel safe, and shares your vision for the future, then you’ve got something worth holding onto.

Maya Angelou once said, “Love recognizes no barriers,” and she was right. True love is about jumping those hurdles together, with hope as your compass.

What does your journey look like? Where is it leading? The answers to those questions might just reveal whether your love story is the kind that’s meant to go the distance.