For most men, letting society know that they’re exclusive with the person they are dating can be a massive, but very important step within a relationship. Before taking that step, you’ll want to look out for a few signs to confirm that you’re as invested in the relationship as you think you are. Men, more often than women, will introduce someone they’re dating to their friends after just one month. However, if you take this step and still are not referring to her as your girlfriend, she may become confused, annoyed, and get the wrong idea about your true feelings. To avoid this issue, here are some signs that suggest you’re a couple and are both equally invested in the relationship.

Your Schedules are Aligned

The initial sign is that you’ve started to align your schedule and make plans with each other in advance. When you first started dating plans may have been more casual and vague. Now you’re actually sitting down and speaking to each other about the future and how you can match your schedules so you can make future plans- whether it be next weekend or a month from now.

You’ve had “the talk” 

Yes. The “where is this relationship going?” talk. It’s important to discuss being exclusive and make sure the effort needed to grow your relationship is a priority for both of you. This is an important step in any coupling as no one wants to be left guessing or broken-hearted because of a misunderstanding of the nature of the relationship. A relationship is a commitment so it’s necessary to sit down and have an honest and open conversation about your feelings.

Your social media includes photos of the two of you together 

Social media is everywhere, but at what stage of a relationship do you let the world know that you’re together? One of the main ways of letting everyone know you are a couple is by posting a photo of the two of you together. Public signs of affection are also a tell-tale sign; however, it is important to think about how these public displays of affection on social media will be perceived by your friends and family – will they come across as sweet and authentic or staged and immature? Keep this in mind as you don’t want to generate gossip within your friendship group about your relationship!

You meet the family

Within a relationship there are lots of milestones – the first kiss, saying “I love you” for the first time and the first time you introduce her as your girlfriend. Meeting the family is another important step.

 You have your first fight 

Another important milestone within a relationship is when you have your first fight. Not just an argument about where to order takeout from on a Friday night but the first big fight, which could potentially change the relationship in the long run. Equally as important, is feeling as if you can really speak your mind rather than just agreeing with everything your partner says. The ability to tell your partner how you really feel and is a sign that you’re more than just casually dating.

So, how can you show your partner that they’re the one?

Little gestures can really make a difference when it comes to showing your partner that you see a future with them. Although men are thought to be more practically minded and less sensitive, they are still full of emotions- and it’s important they show them! Something as simple as picking up her favorite snack when she’s had a long day or driving her to the airport to see her off on her next trip can really show her how much you care.

If you’re still contemplating whether you’re a couple, ask yourself the following questions:

  1. Have you been on enough dates to feel like you actually know who they are as a person?
  2. Are you friends/ following each other on social media?
  3. Has she introduced you to her friends?
  4. Are you acting like a couple in public?

If you’ve answered “no” to any of the above questions, then it may be time to rethink if you’re actually a couple. If this is the case, it’s worth considering finding someone for whom you can answer “yes” to all of those questions. After all, you can’t be in love without being a couple first!

If you are still struggling to find the one or want advice regarding dating or relationships – why not speak to one of our experts? Our team is bursting at the seams with coaches, relationship experts, and of course, matchmakers all with a wealth of knowledge to share with you.