Howdy, y’all! Now hold your horses and don’t go runnin’ off just yet. If you’re anything like me—a sprightly 60-year-old grandma with a wit sharper than a tack—you might think you’ve read it all when it comes to love. But humor ole’ Mary for a bit, will ya? Trust me, by the end of this article, you’ll be chuckling to yourself and nodding in agreement, saying, ‘Well, I’ll be!’

Let’s dive right in, shall we? Some people think that true love is an elusive concept, something out of a fairy tale where Prince Charming sweeps you off your feet. But, if you ask me, true love is a lot more homegrown and down-to-earth than that. It’s about the little things, the small gestures that can only come from a place of deep, sincere affection. So, how about we mosey on down the path of these telltale signs that your partner is indeed your soulmate?

They Listen More Than They Talk

Now, listen here. If your partner spends more time listening to you than jabbering on about themselves, you’ve struck gold! I remember when Earl—God rest his soul—would sit with me on our porch swing, his eyes twinkling as he listened to my endless stories. And let me tell you, I could yammer on like a clogged sink drain. Being a good listener is a sure sign that someone truly values you and your thoughts. Don’t believe me? Try talking about your day in exquisite detail sometime and see if they’re still looking like a deer caught in headlights.

They Cherish Your Quirks

Oh, the quirks! We all got ‘em. For me, it’s my obsession with collecting those little porcelain figurines of angels. Goodness, my house is like a mini chapel! But guess what? Earl never once made fun of me. Instead, he’d surprise me with a new little angel every now and then. Your partner doesn’t just tolerate your quirks; they celebrate ’em. If your partner gleefully encourages you to be your true self—whether that’s your love for peppermint tea or your penchant for wearing socks with sandals—you’ve got yourself a keeper.

They’re Quick to Forgive

Lord have mercy, we all mess up—it’s as certain as the sun rising in the east. If your partner is quick to forgive and doesn’t hold grudges like they’re saving them for a rainy day, that’s a piece of Heaven right there. One time, I burnt Earl’s favorite Sunday roast. I was ready to pack my bags and move to Timbuktu out of sheer embarrassment, but he just laughed, kissed my head, and said, ‘Guess we’re havin’ TV dinners tonight!’ It’s these moments that make you realize that true love is all about letting go of the little stuff and never sweating the small missteps.

They Stand By You in Times of Trouble

Now this here is a big one. If your partner is there for you not just during the picnics and sunsets, but also during the hurricanes and tornadoes of life, hold onto them tight! Earl was my rock when our son announced he’d joined the military. My heart felt like it was lodged in my throat, but Earl was there, steady as a lighthouse in a storm, reminding me to have faith and trust in God’s plan. No fair-weather love here, only the kind that can survive a category five.

They Make You Laugh

Ah, laughter—the glue that holds everything together! A partner who can make you laugh when all you wanna do is cry is worth their weight in gold. Earl had this knack for turning the most mundane task into something hilarious. I could be folding laundry and within minutes, we’d be laughing like two school kids. Laughter lightens the load, my friends. If your partner has you chuckling in times of joy and sorrow, that’s a surefire symptom of true love.

Well folks, there you have it. True love isn’t about grand gestures or extravagant gifts; it’s about the simple, heartfelt actions that say, ‘I love you’ louder than any words ever could. So, the next time you find yourself questioning if what you have is the real deal, just look for these signs. If your partner consistently shows these traits, cherish them like the precious gem they are. And who knows, maybe you’ll find yourselves rocking on the porch swing, just like Earl and I used to, feeling blessed and grateful for the love you share.

Thanks for sticking along for the ride, partner. Until next time, keep the faith and spread the love!