As Valentine’s Day draw close, let’s take a lesson on love.

How do we define true love? True love, ironically, can’t be defined. It’s the kind of love many of us chase after, but few truly find or realize it until it’s too late. But when you experience true love with someone, your primal instincts and behaviour change only towards this person. It makes you a better human being towards a special someone.

The 12 signs of true love in a perfect romance

True love may be hard to define, but the signs to read true love can be clearly seen in every perfect loving relationship.

If you’re in a relationship and want to know if you’re experiencing the purest form of love, use these 12 signs of true love to find out for yourself.

1 Give and take in love

You give to the relationship wholeheartedly and unconditionally, with no desire or expectations of getting something in return from your partner.

2 Pure bliss

Just watching this special person smile or laugh out loud fills you with intense happiness, even if you’re suffering or having a hard day.

3 Pain and anger

You get terribly hurt when your lover upsets you, but their actions never anger you. You may get annoyed or frustrated every now and then momentarily, but you just can’t stay mad at them for long because staying mad or giving them the silent treatment hurts you more.

4 Sacrifices

You make sacrifices for their happiness or well being, even if they may never realise it.

5 The right effort

You go to great lengths and make an effort to improve the relationship, and play a conscious part in trying to please your partner and make them feel loved and special.

6 You can’t ever hurt them

When you’re truly in love with someone, you can’t even imagine hurting them, emotionally or physically. Payback is a strong human instinct, but true love makes you completely selfless.

7 You keep your promises

When you make a promise to them, you stick to your word even if this person will never find out if you broke their promise. When you experience true love, your moral conscience becomes very strong when it comes to this one special person.

8 We not me

In a perfect relationship, it’s good to have your own space to grow as individuals. But at the same time, if you truly love your partner, you’d see them as a part of your life. When you think of your future, you can’t help but see them by your side.

9 You share their burden

And you do that even if you don’t really have to. You can’t bear to see this special someone suffering. If they’re dealing with some issue, you’re always willing to offer them a helping hand even when you have your own difficulties to look into.

10 Pride and jealousy

You beam with pride when they achieve something, even if it’s the same thing you failed at. You may get jealous of a friend who outdid you, but when you love someone, jealousy never enters the picture.

11 Suffering

You’d be willing to suffer, just to see them happy.

12 Their perspective

Everything you do, you keep your lover in mind and think from their perspective, be it about planning a surprise party or hanging out with your own friends after work. You don’t ever want to hurt your lover, so you always think from their point of view before making any decision that involves them in any way.

Are you experiencing true love?

If you’re in a relationship and aren’t experiencing these true love signs, don’t fret. Sometimes, selfless and unconditional love takes time to materialise. As long as your lover and you are happy and understand each other, you’re already experiencing the perfect kind of love! Happy Valentine’s Day!