When it comes to feeling secure with your partner, the signs of a committed relationship can really help. Here’s how to know they’re in it for good.

Being in a new relationship can be hard. You really like the person and you figure they like you too, but you’re not sure how much. We’ve all been there before. While this insecurity can be annoying, keeping an eye out for the signs of a committed relationship can help immensely.

Nobody can read minds. Well, hopefully nobody can read minds, anyway. That being said, you still want to know what your partner is thinking and how they truly feel about you. Are they really committed to you or are they just saying that?

Being insecure and unsure is toxic for your relationship

While it’s natural to feel a little unsure at first, a continuation of those feelings can lead to major insecurity issues, trust problems, and jealousy. All of those are extremely unhealthy for your relationship.

But sometimes you just can’t help them when your relationship is just getting started. When things are new, it’s hard to find security without straight up asking. But you never want to ask because you don’t want them to think you don’t trust them. So what do you do? [Read: 10 types of toxic relationships to watch out for]

All the signs of a committed relationship to put your mind at ease

If you really want to know if you should hold onto your partner forever, these are definitely the signs to confirm as much. They’ll help you feel a bit more secure in your relationship and let you know that your lover isn’t going anywhere.

#1 There’s talk of the future. If someone wants to be with your for a long time, they’ll talk about the future with you. Bringing up plans far in advance as if you’ll be there is a perfect way to tell if they’re committed. The more they make plans with you, the more sure they are that you’ll be together at that time.

#2 They express their feelings regularly. Someone who truly cares about you and wants to be with you is going to let you know. They’ll talk about how much they like you or how happy they are with you. The more they express their feelings for you, the more secure you can feel knowing they truly care. [Read: 11 sweet and intimate ways someone shows they care]

#3 They show you they care. Instead of just telling you, they actively show you every day. They do the little things that most people may not think of like bringing you coffee in the morning or picking up your favorite snack while they were out. The more they show it, the more it should make you feel at ease.

#4 They appreciate the little things. No matter what you do, even if it’s as simple as bringing them a plate of food, they go overboard with appreciation. Okay, maybe not OVERBOARD, but they still show how incredibly grateful they are for the nice things you do.

Any sort of appreciation will be a one of those clear signs of a committed relationship. People who aren’t really in it for the long haul wouldn’t put up a stink because you did something sweet.

#5 They’re very thoughtful. When someone is fully committed, they think about you a lot. That means they’re just thoughtful in general. They’ll bring home medicine when you’re not feeling good or pick up your favorite chips while grocery shopping. It’s the little things that’ll show their commitment. [Read: 25 of the sweetest and most thoughtful gestures for everyday life]

#6 You’ve met their family or have plans to. Depending on how long you’ve been together, your family members have probably come into play. Unless you live really far away from them, someone who is fully committed will want you to interact with their family. So if they’re making plans or have already had you meet them, they’re serious.

#7 They can talk to you easily. This can be about anything. In fact, it’s even more of a great sign when you can talk to each other about basically nothing, but chat for hours. It truly shows just how much you two enjoy each other’s company.

#8 You ask each other for advice. The more they ask you for advice, the more they feel comfortable with you. And that comfort level has a lot to do with how committed they are to you.

Plus, when they ask you for advice, they care about your opinion on the matter and it means they’re including you in their life-choices. This is probably one of the biggest signs of a committed relationship. [Read: 8 ways to build a stronger emotional connection]

#9 You talk about big purchases. Even if your relationship isn’t very old, talking about making a large purchasing decision is a huge deal. Your finances may not be combined at this point, but they still want to get your thoughts on how they spend their money.

When they want your input on purchasing a car or even taking home a dog, it’s because they really care about what you have to say. It means they respect your opinion and they’re fully committed.

#10 You have full access to each other’s homes. Do you have a key to everything in their place? If you do, they’re definitely completely committed to you and vice versa if you’ve given them a key. This has a lot to do with trust and comfort, and the fact that they want you to feel at home at their place.

#11 You feel comfortable at their home alone. Can you go on over, open the place with your own key, and kick back while munching on their food? If so, you’re in a very healthy, committed relationship. If they made you feel uncomfortable about all of those things, it would be a red flag. But if they’re fine with it, they’re committed to you. [Read: 14 signs you’re getting too comfortable with each other]

#12 You go on vacation together. Even if you’re new to the relationship, making plans to go on vacation together can even be a huge sign things are going great. And if you’ve already been away today, that’s even better! Going away together and having that time to bond is crucial and means you’re both committed.

#13 You’re comfortable talking about bodily functions. Again, this might depend on how long you’ve been together but if it’s been a couple months, you should be comfortable enough to talk about this stuff. If you’re not bonding enough to get there, it could be an issue.

It’s all about how comfortable you are. The more you spend time together and bond, the closer you become. And this bond is how you commit to each other more and more.

#14 You have a “routine” together. This might sound weird, but after a few months, couples who are committed to each other usually settle into some sort of routine. They have breakfast together before work, have dinner together when they can.

So if you’re in a committed relationship, your life will have settled into a comfortable sort of routine that you’re both happy with. This means date-nights, regularly scheduled TV show watching nights, and you’ll form habits based on each other. [Read: 11 quick and easy morning routines to jumpstart a successful day]

#15 They always reassure you instead of getting defensive. Whenever you feel insecure, your partner will reassure you calmly and confidently. That’s how you know they’re committed. They don’t get defensive or call you crazy. They simply tell you they’re in it for good and that’s it.

[Read: 12 signs he wants to be exclusive and committed to only you]

Knowing the signs of a committed relationship can really help you feel secure and relaxed in your new relationship. Just remember that it’s okay to feel a little unsure at first. Remember these signs and you’ll know how they really feel.