25 Signs He’s A Keeper

When you are getting into a relationship, it is normal to look for signs to confirm that they are the right partner for you. We seek such signs to be sure that we are not making a big mistake. 

If you have a man in your life, you must have wondered if he’s a keeper or not. After reading through this article, by checking the common signs and green flags, you will know better if your man is a keeper or not.

What is the meaning of a keeper in a relationship?

A keeper has great qualities that make them a worthy partner in a relationship. If a person is a keeper, they do not exhibit unhealthy or toxic relationship traits. You can trust them with everything, and they will always come through.

Also, a keeper is genuinely interested in you and everything about you. So, they will always look out for you and ensure you become the best version of yourself.

In Myra Kaplan’s book titled: Finding a Keeper, you will learn how to spot the signs that show that your spouse is a keeper. If your partner is not meeting up, you can discuss some of these tips with them.

What are the criteria for becoming a keeper?

Many factors make someone a keeper. One of them is how they care about your happiness.

They will do everything within their power to ensure you are happy. Also, they are not afraid to get real with you. They feel secure with you. Hence, the need to see through them. A keeper exhibits all the traits of a healthy relationship partner.

Grady Shumway, LMHC, says

Considering someone as a “keeper” in a relationship typically involves recognizing qualities such as mutual respect, compatibility, trustworthiness, and genuine care for each other’s well-being. It’s about feeling supported, valued, and emotionally fulfilled in the relationship.

Additionally, a “keeper” is someone with whom you can envision a long-term future, sharing common goals and aspirations and navigating life’s challenges together as a team.

25 obvious signs that he is a keeper

It is normal for you to still ask yourself if your man is someone that you can spend forever with in a relationship. The reason why this doubtful question arises is that people change. So, it is best to be convinced that your man has your back.

Here are some signs he’s a keeper

1. You are comfortable around him

If you don’t need to pretend around him, he is a keeper. This is because you do not see the need to pretend to be another person when you are around him. Similarly, you are comfortable if he finds out your weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Again, this is because you always feel safe with him.

Related Reading: 11 Ways to Have Quality Time With Your Partner

2. He respects your uniqueness

Your man does not impose his opinions or decisions on you because he understands that each person has their individuality. Also, he doesn’t try to force you to be an image of someone he has in his head. So, he allows your originality to play out without any interference.

3. You laugh with him

No one wants to be with a boring partner. One of the signs he’s a keeper is you laugh together often. His sense of humor cracks you up, and it is always a refreshing time laughing together, and you look forward to more.

Grady Shumway further adds,

Being able to laugh with someone is a wonderful sign of compatibility and connection in a relationship. It signifies shared humor, lightheartedness, and an ability to enjoy each other’s company. Sharing laughter fosters bonding, reduces stress, and creates fond memories, strengthening the emotional bond between partners.

4. You are open to discussing anything with him

One of the signs on how to know he’s a keeper is, you don’t feel reluctant to discuss with him. This is because you know that he will not call you bluff, and he is always open to hearing from you. He is one of the few people who always gives you a listening ear.

5. He is open to resolving conflicts

When you have conflicts with your man, his disposition towards the issue tells if he is a keeper or not. One of the signs he’s a keeper is, he does not avoid resolving conflicts. Men who are keepers will not keep malice if there’s an ongoing disagreement.

Related Reading: 5 Steps to Resolve Conflict With Your Partner

6. He understands when you are acting up

Sometimes, we have our naughty days when almost everything around annoys us. However, as regards how to know if he is a keeper, you will discover that he barely reacts when you have minor quirks. Also, he doesn’t try to avoid you. Rather, he stands by till your mood gets better.

7. Your relationship gets better

It is easy to know if your relationship is growing because when you look back, you will discover that you and your partner are not where you used to be. Both of you have relationship, life, and career goals that you are working towards getting fulfilled.

8. He included you in his plans

Another way of how to know if he’s a keeper is when he includes you in his plans. He doesn’t treat you like a random person in his life. As he makes progress, you are at the core of his plans. He regularly likes to mention how he wants you to always be with him as he grows.

9. He has a good sense of responsibility

It is even clear to a blind man that your boyfriend has a good sense of direction with his life. Besides being properly responsible for himself, he is also responsible to you. You will know he’s a keeper because he tries to become a better person for himself, you, and those around him.

Related Reading: 10 Opportunities for Relationship Growth

10. He has a good relationship with your friends and family

Another way to know if he’s a keeper is how he relates with your family and friends. He doesn’t act under pressure when he is with them, and your loved ones like being around him.

11. Your loved ones support your relationship

If your family and friends have given you their full backing, then your man is a keeper. This means they have seen something in your man to make them accept him fully. Therefore, your loved ones are not quiet when declaring their support for your relationship.

Related Reading: 15 Ways to Improve Emotional Support in Your Relationship

12. You are very happy

Sometimes, it is challenging to spot the reason why you are happy. However, you just know that your man is worth keeping because you rarely get sad because he is in your life. This sign that he’s a keeper motivates you to keep your relationship.

13. He is interested in your daily affairs

Another way to know he’s a keeper is his show of interest in your affairs. At the end of each day, he calls to know how your day is going and how he can help out. His interest in your life gives you the impression that he values you.

Related Reading: 10 Essential Tips to Foster Love and Respect in Your Marriage

14. He notices intricate physical details about you

How would you feel when your man spots a tiny defect on your face or hair that is difficult for anyone to see? If your man notices everything new or strange about you, you can be sure he’s a keeper.

15. He remembers important things about you

One of the clear signs of a keeper is when he does not forget important things about you. For instance, he remembers your birthday, phone number, financial card details, year of graduation. He virtually remembers everything that matters to you.

16. He loves spending quality time with you

Your man understands that spending quality time makes your relationship more rock-solid. Since he is passionate about you, he doesn’t see this as a chore. Sometimes, he leaves his favorite hobby just to spend time with you.

Related Reading: 11 Ways to Have Quality Time With Your Partner

17. He says good things about you to his loved ones

Another way to know that he’s a keeper is what he says about you to his loved ones. He loves to brag about you to his loved ones and anyone who cares to listen. If you do something little for him, he will announce it to everyone.

18. He is excited anytime you succeed

If you are wondering what does keeper mean in relationships, watch how he behaves when you record a win. He takes your success like it were his, and he keeps encouraging you to do more. When you pursue great opportunities, he supports you fully.

19. He doesn’t blame you when you fail

Anytime you fail at something, he does not blame or discourage you. Rather, he encourages you to keep trying and not give up. If he’s a keeper, you cannot feel dejected for long when you fail because he will give you actionable steps to get back up.

Related Reading: How to Stop the Blame Game in Your Relationship

20. He gives you breakfast in bed

One of the most romantic gestures that partners love is getting served in bed. When he wakes you up with breakfast in bed, you can be sure that he is a keeper. He makes this gesture because he cares and adores you.

21. He doesn’t expect anything in return when he does something for you

When your man does something kind for you, he doesn’t expect you to do anything in return. He has a sacrificial and benevolent spirit that goes all out for you without anticipating a reimbursement.

22. He doesn’t shy away from challenges

Anytime your boyfriend faces any challenge, he is not afraid to take it on. Your man is not someone who is put down by life’s problems. Rather, he finds a way to work around it, and he ends up triumphing.

23. He is always real with you

Another way to know he’s a keeper is, he doesn’t pretend to be someone else with you. He shows you his vulnerabilities, and he doesn’t hide anything from you.

24. He makes you feel on top of the world

Your man always mentions the fact that you are a special person. His acts of love and service are to tell you and the world that you mean so much to him. This is a sign of a positive and healthy relationship, and it is a sign that he’s a keeper.

25. He loves you

The ultimate sign that your man is a keeper is, he loves you unconditionally. He knows your love language, and he supplies the right amount of love day in, day out.

Asuman Buyukcan and other brilliant authors wrote an in-depth article on Ideal standards, acceptance and relationship satisfaction. It would come in handy for romantic partners who have expectations in their relationships.

10 green lights in a relationship to show you have found a keeper

When you are connected with someone romantically, you need to observe the partner’s signs that confirm that they are a keeper.

Here are some green lights to check to know you have a keeper:

1. Open and honest communication

You will know you have found a keeper when they are ready to openly communicate with you. If something is bothering them, they don’t hide it from you.

2. Healthy conflict resolution

When your partner is open to resolving problems in your relationship without keeping malice and any misgivings, then be sure that you’ve seen a keeper.

3. They want you to become better

A good partner should bring out the best in you and not make you worse. Therefore, you know you have seen a keeper when they support you.

4. They love listening to you

A partner who is a keeper will not only hear but listen to you. Therefore, they will remember intricate details in your conversations or other things about you.

Related Reading: 8 Essential Tips to Communicate and Connect with Your Partner

5. You are free around them

You always feel comfortable around them because they have made you understand that they are a haven.

6. They have a good hygiene

If you discover that he smells nice and makes his health a priority, he will rub off on you. People who care about their health are likely to have a long life. Therefore, looking out for someone who has good hygiene should not be underrated.

Poor personal hygiene in a relationship is bad.

Here’s a video that explains how it negatively affects your relationship:

7. They can hold good conversations

You don’t want to be in a relationship with someone who cannot hold profound or meaningful discussions. When you discover that you can connect with them during conversations, they might be a keeper.

8. They have long-term goals

A keeper would be responsible, and they would have long-term plans. They will also spur you to have long-term goals, which would make you more growth-oriented in life, career, etc.

9. You have shared interests

Before you can call someone a keeper, they need to share your interests. Even though shared interests are not compulsory when starting a relationship, you need something to keep discussions going.

Related Reading: How Important Are Common Interests in a Relationship?

10. They respect you

You don’t want to date someone who does not respect you in any way. When you detect their impolite behavior, you can be sure that they will not respect you in the relationship.

Do they apologize when they are wrong? Do they appreciate you when little favors are done? Ask yourself these questions to be sure they would be a keeper or not.

Sid Patterson’s book titled 50 relationship green flags is an eye-opener for those who want to be sure they are in a good relationship. With these 50 signs, spouses can see for themselves if their partners are meeting up to the conventional expectations. 

Conclusion

Did you notice any signs that he’s a keeper? You can be sure that your relationship is in good hands if you did. Resist the urge to rush into a relationship with any man. You have to check if they can be a worthy partner or not.

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Rachael Pace Author

Rachael Pace is a noted relationship writer associated with Marriage.com. She provides inspiration, support, and empowerment in the form of motivational articles and essays. Rachael enjoys studying the evolution of loving partnerships... Read more and is passionate about writing on them. She believes that everyone should make room for love in their lives and encourages couples to work on overcoming their challenges together. Read less

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