Dating can pave the way for a serious relationship. In fact, many serious relationships start as just a fling, and it’s not uncommon for people to go from being just friends to partners for life. As two people spend more time together, they become more committed to each other and the relationship. If you’ve been dating your partner for some time, you might start to wonder what the future holds and start looking for signs he sees you long-term.
Some people go from dating to serious relationships within just months of seeing each other. Others may want to hold out for the right person. Different things work for different people. If you and your partner have always looked at dating as a precursor to something more serious, then the key to turning dating into a serious relationship is communication. It’s important to have open and honest conversations about your expectations for the relationship, your goals, and your feelings for each other.
The importance of keeping the lines of communication open with your partner for maintaining a good long-term relationship has been backed by research. In addition to communication, other factors that can help turn dating into a serious relationship include spending quality time together, being supportive of each other, showing affection and care, and working through conflicts and challenges that arise in the relationship. Let’s look at them in more detail to understand the signs a guy sees a future with you.
How Do You Tell If A Guy Sees A Future With You?
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It can be stressful to figure out if your partner is serious about taking things to the next level or if he wants to keep it casual for now and take more time to figure out what he wants, if he’s not ready for something serious. When he sees a future with you, you will be able to tell that he is serious about you from the way he behaves in the relationship and treats you.
A guy who wants you in his life for the long haul will open up to you, be honest with you, respect your boundaries, plan dates, etc. Even so, the only sure-shot way of knowing what he wants is to have a conversation about it.
Ace Adams, a Quora user, writes, “You ask him. There’s not really any tips and tricks to secretly determine whether he sees a future with you other than just communicating with him and asking. You can hope and pray and wish, but you’ll never know for sure unless you ask. It’ll be hard. It’ll be scary. You won’t want to do it. But you have to if you ever want to be sure of what he feels. And if you have a healthy relationship where both of you feel comfortable honestly expressing your feelings, he’ll tell you if he sees a future with you or not”.
True as that may be, to be able to have that conversation, you need at least some sense of how he sees you and his relationship with you. Thankfully, there are many great signs you will notice when things turn serious. Let’s understand some of them in detail below.
23 Clear Signs He Sees You Long-Term And Is Truly Committed
Casual relationships can last years, not just a few months or weeks. If you’ve dated a few guys, you’d already know that most guys are straightforward about what they’re looking for in a romantic connection. You, too, should be upfront about your expectations. If you’re both on the same page about wanting a long-term relationship, the transition from dating to being in a serious relationship becomes more effortless. If you’re hesitant to ask him outright if he wants to get serious or not, there are a few signs that can more or less confirm it for you:
1. He prioritizes spending time with you
If someone is serious about dating you, they will make an effort to spend quality time with you and prioritize your company. Initiating plans, taking time out of a busy schedule, and being there for you when you need him are all telling indicators that a guy is getting serious about you.
Related Reading : 13 Sure-Shot Signs A Casual Relationship Is Getting Serious
2. He wants to get to know you better
A guy who wants to turn serious with you will ask you questions that he has never asked before. He will also open up to you and not shy away from deeper conversations. This is a very good sign that he wants to figure out if your deeper values align and if you’d be a suitable long-term partner for him.
3. He makes an effort to make you happy
If a guy is serious about dating you, he will make an effort to do things that he knows will bring you joy. This could be anything from planning a fun date to buying you thoughtful gifts. Date ideas, gifts, small deeds, they could be very simple or creative as hell, but what would matter is the effort. An excerpt from a Reddit thread points out some tell-tale signs like-
- “…He sends me random texts during the day. Some days they are funny, other days they are lovey. It just tells me he’s thinking about me at that moment
- When he goes to the store, he usually brings me back a little candy or some flowers from Kroger. Like 5-dollar Tulips, I’m not talking about 45$ bouquets – that’s just ridiculous
- When he gets home at night, he always kisses me first. Before he does anything else, he leans over and just gives me a nice lingering kiss
- When we are watching movies, he scratches my legs or the top of my head while I’m laying on his chest
- He cooks for me on a pretty regular basis….”
4. He communicates with you
Communication is key in any relationship, and if a guy is serious about dating you, he will communicate openly and honestly with you. He will be willing to discuss difficult topics and work through any issues that arise in the relationship. If a person sees a future with you, he will communicate with you regularly, not just when it’s convenient for them.
5. He gives constant reassurance
Nothing says he wants to get serious more than intentional actions and constant reassurance. Even if you guys have gone through a tough patch, or your relationship just started as a casual fling or there have been other women before you, and he has consistently taken steps to prove to you all of that is in the past and he is ready to start something serious with you, that’s a positive sign that he’s making some long-haul plans with you.
Related Reading : 19 Things To Reassure Your Girlfriend Of Your Love
6. It’s the small things
Sometimes, it doesn’t have to be very in-your-face obvious signs that he might be serious about you. It can very well be the small things as mentioned in this Reddit answer, “…Oh also if they consistently show effort: I’ll pick wildflowers, doodle little cards that have a poem in them (doodles of things I know they like), offer to cook for them/run errands if they’re busy if I’m at the store and about to see them surprising them with their favorite snack/drink/candy, etc. Consistently delivering on small things to keep things interesting.”
7. He makes future plans with you
There are a few dos and don’ts in a long-term relationship. Another one of the dead-on signs he sees you long-term is that he will make plans with you for events or occasions that are farther into the future. We’re talking more long-term than just the next few days or weeks. It can be anything from-
- Wanting to catch a movie that releases months later
- Asking you to attend weddings or functions as their plus one
- Offering to pick you up from or drop you at airports or train stations
- Planning to meet your parents and wanting you to meet his as well
8. He introduces you to their friends and family
When a guy is serious about wanting a long-term relationship with you, he will want you to be an integral part of his life. Which means he will want to introduce you to the important people in his life. This is a sign that he is proud to be with you and sees a potentially serious relationship with you.
A Reddit user explains how much of a big deal it can be, “Meeting the friends is like a way of saying that this is something important and hopefully long term.”
9. He will find a reason to be around you more
If you need a sign that he thinks the same way about getting serious as you, start paying attention to how involved he is in your day-to-day life. Georgio36, a Reddit user, elaborates in his answer, “He will find ways to be around you or ask to help you with things. He would support everything you are doing. If you post a new look/outfit photo of yourself; he’ll be one of the first ones to compliment you. He’ll ask about your day. Lastly, he won’t be afraid to be seen with you. Meaning he’ll actually take you on dates instead of just only wanting you to come over to his place.”
10. He talks about or hints at moving in together
If he brings up questions about the kind of furniture you like or your ideal home decor style, etc., you can pretty much be sure he wants to move in with you someday and is trying to figure out if your tastes match. This is one of the most straightforward signs he sees you long-term.
Related Reading: 21 Expert Tips For Couples Moving In Together
11. He is straightforward with his words
Instead of leaving you searching for signs he wants to wife you up, he might just sit you down and tell you directly. A male user shares on Reddit, “I always do this, but only after I’ve established somewhat of a relationship with the girl and have a good idea she’s into me, hence why in this case I’m wanting to spend more time with her before I directly state my intentions.”
12. He shows affection
He is affectionate with you, showing physical and emotional intimacy. Some guys may not be into PDA but that doesn’t mean they won’t show affection. You might notice that he pays attention to your moods, the way you dress, the things you like, your turn-offs, and everything else.
13. He starts thinking in terms of ‘us’ rather than ‘me’ and ‘you’
He becomes more considerate of your feelings and needs and prioritizes your happiness and well-being. He also starts making more and more plans that involve both of you and begins to look at his life from the prism of ‘us’. Some of the signs he sees you as the one include:
- He asks you for your opinions before making decisions or plans
- He prioritizes making decisions that benefit both of you in the relationship
- He says things like “we’ll figure it out” or “we’ve got this” to show you that you are not alone and that you’re both one unit
14. He wants to make things right
Being willing to work toward conflict resolution is a surefire sign that a guy sees a future with you. He is mindful and respectful of your boundaries and takes the time to understand and honor them. Moving on from the conflict and finding common ground after a fight is an uncomfortable part of any relationship, and if he is putting an effort into honing his abilities in this area, it’s likely because he is emotionally invested in the relationship.
Related Reading: How Do You Set Emotional Boundaries In Relationships?
15. He doesn’t cancel plans
Not only will he start making more plans, but he will also not cancel them. When a guy likes spending time with his partner, he goes out of his way to be around them as much as possible. And he is honest and transparent with you about reasons when he does have to cancel plans.
16. He is invested in your life
One of the dead giveaway signs he sees a future with you is that he will be interested in every detail of your life – your hobbies, your work, your friends, and your family. He might even be interested in cultivating hobbies for both of you and do activities together at home. He will also consistently make an effort to let you know he is there for you. This may look like:
- Showing up and being by your side in your time of need
- Going out of his way to make sure you know you can talk to him about anything
- Helping you when you’re faced with a tough situation
- A desire to be involved in the bigger decisions of your life
17. He is open to compromise
Among the signs he sees you long-term is a willingness to compromise and make sacrifices for the betterment of the relationship. Sometimes external circumstances like getting transferred or moving for better job/educational prospects can pose a challenge for couples, threatening their future together. The willingness to make compromises to preserve the relationship in such situations is one of the most tell-tale signs he is thinking long-term with you.
Related Reading: 9 Expert Tips To Compromise In A Marriage The Right Way
18. You do everything together
When a guy is emotionally invested in you, he’d want you by his side even when doing mundane everyday tasks. You hang out and do things together, like best friends. This shows that he is serious about the relationship and wants to build a future with you.
A user on Reddit says, “This just happened with my now boyfriend. We started doing everything together from cooking to cleaning and spent hours talking in bed, loved waking up next to each other, introducing each other to friends, and having so much fun. And it all feels easy and good. It took 2-3 months for this to evolve, but we got there.”
19. You are emotionally intimate with each other
Emotional intimacy is the foundation of any relationship. “Emotional intimacy could be defined as allowing yourself to connect more deeply with your partner through actions that express feelings, vulnerabilities, and trust,” says Sanam Hafeez, a neuropsychologist and faculty member at Columbia University. If he creates a safe space for you, and you feel like you can share anything with him, and that he shares everything with you too, it might be one of the signs he is thinking long-term with you.
An excerpt from Reddit highlights just how important emotional intimacy is, “…communicating with your significant other is an intimate experience. Developing emotional intimacy can happen a lot like physical intimacy. Imagine that instead of taking articles of clothing off one by one and watching your partner’s eyes light up with anticipation and delight, you are slowly revealing more of your inner self, piece by piece….”
Related Reading: 10 Tips To Develop Emotional Intimacy In A Marriage
20. He is supportive of your goals and ambitions
If a guy sees a future with you, he will be supportive of your goals and ambitions and will encourage you to pursue your dreams. He may also help you achieve those ambitions. He may even unknowingly help you find your passion.
21. He talks about his long-term goals with you
If someone sees a future with you, they will discuss their long-term goals and aspirations with you. You both may even start planning your long-term relationship to align your future plans. This is the time when you both discuss,
- What type of house do you want to buy together in the future
- If you want kids someday
- The places you want to explore together
22. He makes a constant effort to maintain the relationship
A guy who sees a future with you will make an effort to maintain the relationship and keep the connection strong. Every relationship takes effort and upkeep. The consistency of efforts may sometimes diminish when you’ve been together a long time. But making an effort to keep things on track tells you all you need to know about whether a guy sees you as his long-term love interest.
Related Reading: 15 Tips That Keep A Relationship Strong And Happy
23. He is willing to open up about his past
When you feel it is getting pretty serious, it might be relevant to clear the air about past relationships with each other. Understanding your partner’s previous flings and relationships offers great insight into things that are a dealbreaker for them and things to avoid that may have hurt them. When a guy agrees to open up about his serious previous relationship, he may be ready to become vulnerable with you, and when a man is vulnerable with a woman, it is one of the very serious signs he sees you long-term.
Key Pointers
- A guy who is serious about you will make an effort to show you he wants to be with you
- He will prioritize your happiness and well-being and be willing to put in the work to make the relationship work
- Communication and comprehension are very important to make sure you understand each other and are on the same page about things in your relationship
- It all comes down to mutual efforts in a committed relationship. Both partners should give their 100% to make a relationship work
Overall, if a guy sees a future with you, he will show a consistent interest in your life and future plans and will be committed to building a strong and lasting relationship with you. Of course, it goes without saying that wanting and working for a long-term future and relationship is a two-way street. So be sure to make your partner feel seen and heard so that he knows their feelings and efforts are reciprocated.
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