13 Signs You’re In a Relationship

You’ve been dating that special someone for awhile now, but you’re not sure how to classify what you share. Is it a fling? Is he committed? Whether you’re too scared to ask or he changes the subject when you do, here are some tell tale signs that you are in a relationship, even if you haven’t given yourselves that label yet.

1. You’re Exclusive

You mentioned going to dinner with another man and the questions come pouring in. Who’s that? How do you know him? You ask if he’s seeing anyone else and you can almost hear his heart drop as he sharply answers “No.” If the guy you’ve been seeing is shocked that you would even ask him such a question, then you my friend, are in a relationship.

2. You Call Each Other Pet Names

When you start to refer to one another as “babe” or “honey” that’s a sign of something serious going on between you. After all, no man is going to give someone he’s only “kind of into” a pet name.

3. You See Each Other Every Weekend

Before you’d have to ask what he had planned for the weekend, but now you don’t bother because you’re sure that you’ll be spending it together. Whether it’s dinner and a movie, or a stroll through the park, if you both enjoy spending your weekends in each others’ company, then that’s the sign of a relationship.

4. You Go Out for Meals Together

It may have started with coffee breaks or Saturday night drinks, but if you and your love interest have been going out for sit down meals together, that’s the sign of a real relationship.

It’s fine to order in pizzas or hit a food truck from time to time, but eating in restaurants with waiter staff and wine glasses indicates that he’s serious about you.

5. He Listens and Responds Lovingly to You

Whether he asks about your sister’s sick dog or recalls something you mentioned when you first met, if he remembers what you’ve shared with him that’s a sure sign he considers you an important person. A man who is receptive to your thoughts and comforting when you share vulnerable information is silently expressing that he cares about you. These intimate acts are the basis of a relationship.

6. He’s Opened Up to You

Men, and women for that matter, don’t open up to people they don’t care about. Simple as that.

If he feels close enough to you to tell you about his parent’s divorce or how he was picked on as a kid, he obviously feels closer to you than he would a woman he’s just sleeping with or dating casually.

When this happens give him time to talk, free of interruptions. Letting a man know that he can be open with you encourages him to share his innermost thoughts and feelings.

7. He Does the “Little Things”

You’re not feeling good so he brings you soup. You mention having lots of work to do so he pops by with coffee. You’re worried about sleeping in so he gives you a wake up call. If he’s constantly proving that you’re on his mind or going out of his way to make you smile then you can consider this a relationship.

8. He Takes Care of You When You’re Sick

Would any guy in their right mind want to make out with someone who was sick? The answer is no. If the idea of your germs don’t scare him and he’s right there on the couch with you while you’re coughing away then you’ve found yourself a great guy and can consider this a relationship.

9. You Keep in Touch Throughout the Day

Like little school girls passing notes, you and him are constantly texting, emailing, sending photos and phoning each other. Keeping each other up to date with what’s going on in your lives is a sign that he loves talking to you and that you’re an important part of his life.

10. His Family Knows About You

If he routinely tells you that he told his Mom about something you said or did this means that she knows you are and that you’re dating her son. No man is going to call home with news of his latest hook up, so once your name has entered the family circle you can consider yourself taken.

11. You Leave Things at Each Other’s Places

You have face wash and underwear at his apartment and he has a toothbrush and razor at yours. Basically, the bare necessities are taken care of in the event of any impromptu sleepovers.

12. You Sleep Together Without Sleeping Together

You both used to expect that every make-out session, hug or sleepover would lead to sex. However, now that you’re having sex on the regular, there’s no longer the pressure to get naked every single time you’re in bed together. You can actually sleep together — and it’s fantastic.

13. You Hangout with Each Other’s Friends

You’re past the one-on-one hangouts and your guy has become a part of your friend group and you a part of his. The best part is your pals don’t mind because they see how happy you are around one another.

When this happens you can pretty much assume that you’re in a relationship.

• About the Author

About Amy North

Amy North, BA, BSc, is a woman’s best friend. If you’re searching for the man of your dreams, or you want make your boyfriend stay devoted to you, then Amy North is your gal! Amy's incredibly popular YouTube channel, which boasts over 340,000 subscribers and 20+ million views, helps women learn how to get what they want out of their relationships. Her best-selling program, The Devotion System, reveals a number of psychological ‘hot buttons’ that make any man 'tick', and teaches readers how to use simple techniques and phrases to make any man love you.