When it comes to romantic relationships, loyalty and faithfulness are some of the most valued aspects we look for. Being faithful in a relationship shows that your partner cares enough about you to be exclusive. It also helps to build trust and emotional security that contributes to a healthy and stable bond between you and your partner. Indeed, scientific research has shown that loyalty and commitment are among the most important factors that lead to long and stable marriages. If you’re unsure whether your man has got what it takes, here are 7 behaviors to look for.
1. He communicates openly, even when it comes to his own mistakes.
A man who is 100 percent committed to you is not going to shy away from tough conversations. A faithful partner will not only share their thoughts, feelings and experiences with you without hesitation, but also share them in a way that is respectful to your own feelings and experiences. This kind of transparency ensures that both partners feel valued and appreciated.
When it comes to conflict, he is more concerned with honesty and integrity than always being right. Having the ability to admit to mistakes and take responsibility for one’s actions is one of the most important pillars of loyalty because it demonstrates a willingness to work through challenges together and fosters mutual respect between partners.
2. He will be a consistent source of support.
According to The Gottman Institute, commitment is something you do. And as such, a faithful partner will consistently behave in ways that show you they are committed no matter where they are or what they are doing. That means sticking up for you when someone bad mouths you or standing by you when you are at your worst. They will always have your back.
Even the best of relationships will end up going through the roughest of challenges. A faithful man who listens actively, offers advice when asked and encourages personal growth is a man who is dedicated to your well-being and happiness, and deeply appreciates your relationship.
3. He respects your boundaries.
Faithfulness is not only a foundation for trust in a relationship, it’s also a foundation for respect. Someone who is faithful to you won’t attempt to stifle you or exert control over every aspect of your life. That’s not commitment, that’s suffocation. Rather, they will listen to and honor your needs and make sure they don’t overstep any limits – creating a safe space for both partners in the relationship.
Furthermore, if your partner is committed to being faithful to you, he’ll be prepared to discuss and agree on what is considered cheating in a relationship. Something that Psych Central says is important to establish in case you have differing opinions on this.
4. He prioritizes quality time together and engages with what’s important to you.
Think of the last time you spent time with your partner. Does he make time for you? According to eharmony, a faithful man will prioritize spending time with you, regardless of how busy his life is. That’s because he wants to spend time with you. We prioritize what we think is important, after all. He may go out of his way to plan date nights, weekend getaways or other forms of quality time that will help build lasting memories together. And if he has a good reason he can’t be there in person, he’ll be sure to check in virtually.
Another tell-tale sign of a faithful partner is how they choose to show up in your life. Do they want to spend time with your friends and family, or engage in your interests? If so, that is the kind of partner that sees you as a priority – and the kind of partner you want to keep.
5. He is transparent about his social life.
A relationship is a two-way street. If your man wants to know everything about your friends and your social life, he should be open about his social life as well. If he has nothing to hide, he’ll have no problems keeping you up to date on who he’s seeing and what he’s up to. After all, if he views you as an integral part of his life, why wouldn’t he want to share what he’s been up to with you?
This type of transparency not only reflects his desire for you to be a part of his life, but also shows that he is proud of the relationship you share.
6. He consistently shows you how much you mean to him.
How a man shows you this might vary depending on your love language, or his, according to best-selling author, Dr Gary Chapman. The five love languages are physical touch (for example, holding your hand when you walk down the street), receiving gifts (like surprising you with flowers), acts of service (perhaps bringing your coffee up in the morning), words of affirmation (like paying you compliments or verbalising their gratitude) and quality time, which we already discussed.
When a man is committed to you and the relationship, he’ll do his best to express love and appreciation in ways that resonate with you, which reinforces emotional intimacy and value for your relationship.
7. He’ll talk about your future together.
When your partner talks about his future plans – vacations, career goals, family aspirations, etc. – are you included in them? If so, that’s good news. This behavior indicates that he envisions a future together and is invested in building a life with you. His willingness to plan for the future signals commitment and loyalty. But more importantly, if he’s truly committed to the relationship, he won’t just make plans, but he’ll follow through on them without needing to be prompted.
Final thoughts…
Above all else, a faithful man is someone that you can depend on. Not only does he follow through with his promises and commitments, he is also consistent in these actions. This consistency helps to foster a sense of security and stability within the relationship, as well as strengthen the bond between both partners.
