Love has a funny way of sneaking up on you.

Sure, the Disney movies make us believe that it’s all lightning bolts to the heart and falling head over heels with a dashing prince, but in truth, sometimes you don’t realise you’re in an amazing relationship until you stop and think about it.

The truth is: love is in the small things.

It’s waking up in the morning and seeing someone next to you whom you want to spend the day with. Someone who you don’t have to explain all your jokes to. Someone who brings you orange juice and chicken soup when you feel sick.

So here are 5 key signs you’re in the best relationship you’ve ever had that you might not have noticed yet…

1. You enjoy thinking about each other’s needs

When you’re with someone special, you’re happy to meet their needs.

Why?

Because you understand them. Because you know this person has your back and you in turn have theirs. Because you know that investing in this relationship only ever returns greater happiness and fulfillment for both of you.

When you actually enjoy making each other happy, instead of resenting it, you know you’re onto something special.

2. You can be completely yourself

True love makes you feel free to be who you really are. It opens you up and makes you realise that your uniqueness is something to not only be accepted, but treasured.

The best relationship is one where you feel completely safe to speak your mind, be your (sometimes weird) self, and decide what you want without judgment.

3. You don’t dream about being single anymore

When you’re in an amazing relationship, your life has so much added meaning and richness that you can’t imagine what you’d get out of being single again.

Instead of thinking about the variety and fun of being “on-the-dating-scene”, you think of the joy of making an ever-deeper connection with your partner and becoming an incredible team together.

4. You know things aren’t perfect, and that’s ok

And the final sign of the absolute best relationship of your life is when you give up the illusion of perfection.

You realise that both of you have flaws – he’s messy and bad at planning and it drives you crazy sometimes – you can be opinionated and complain about work too much. But you both know that what you have is stronger than those annoying habits.

Instead of every disagreement becoming a threat to the relationship, you figure it out and work through the difficult times together. When you’re willing to do that and come out as better people for it, you’ll know you’re with someone you can spend the rest of your life with.