Not everyone who likes you will keep you. Some men are out only to have a feel of you and then vanish into thin air. These are signs to tell who will stay and who will run.

If you’re like most of us, no matter what relationship you are in, you’re likely to think at one time or another that you’re with the one. As much as we’d like to follow our hearts however, finding the one is more than just a matter of strong attraction.

It’s important to make sure your heart and your head agree if you are spending the rest of your life with someone, so it’s vital to sort out the qualities that make someone worth spending your life with. Overall, the biggest indicator is when someone is truly selfless, invested, and interested in who you are and what you want. The following points will help you make that distinction, and are qualities anyone should value when looking for the one.

1. Attention Vs Care

One big difference between someone you like and someone you should stay with is paying attention to you, versus caring about you. Any healthy romantic relationship means that the other person should pay attention to your desires, likes, and day-to-day schedule. However, when somebody really cares, there’s a difference. Someone who listens to your favorite songs just to get to know you better, for example, is somebody who cares about you and isn’t just paying attention for the short term benefits.

2. All Talk Vs All Action

It’s easy to have feelings for people who are smooth talkers. It seems that they know just how to appeal to your insecurities and hopes. However, when you’re with the one who is really interested in you, you’ll find that actions speak louder than words. Especially when you have disagreements and ask your other half to change the way they treat you; words promising to make changes are nowhere near as important as active steps. When you find someone who is willing to put in the effort and make real decisions for your best interest, keep them.

3. Hearing Vs Listening

Another difference between a significant other and a significant other who could be the one, is how they listen to you. If your significant other appears to listen to you, but rarely understands what you’re saying or makes changes, they may just be hearing you instead of listening to you.

4. Interest Vs Investment

Another way to recognize the one is how interested they are in you. Anyone you date is likely to show some amount of interest in your passions and career, however the one will be truly invested in everything from your relationships, to how your day goes. You should always seek out people who are truly invested in you, and want to see you be your happiest. If you’re going to be with someone long term, it is crucial that they are not only interested in you, but invested in you.

5. Concerned Vs Involved

Another way to measure whether you are with the one, is to consider how involved they are in your life. Someone who sees themselves with you for a long period of time will not just concern themselves with your life and family, but will look for new ways to be truly involved. When your significant other moves from learning the names of your relatives to cracking jokes with and looking forward to seeing them, you know you have someone special.

6. Thinking For You Vs Thinking Of You

Another way to sort out whether your relationship is the right one, is to consider whether they think of you or for you. An involved, concerned significant other will offer you advice, give you feedback, and be honest about their opinions. However, a love interest who offers cutting criticisms, and makes you feel less confident is a sign that they are thinking for you and not about what’s best for you. Always try to find those who are honest about what they think, without manipulating you or shaming you into doing what they want. When you’re with the one, it should always be obvious that they want what’s best for you, not what’s best for them.

– Alicia Prince is a writer, filmmaker, and artist