How did you know he or she was 'the one'??

I wish I could pinpoint an exact moment, but right off the bat, we were immensely comfortable around each other. We became friends so easily, and our relationship grew out of that. A month into dating, he had to rush me to the ER and stayed with me in the hospital for 12 hours, and then stayed the night in my dorm room (on the floor on couch cushions hahah, because he's a gentleman) to make sure I was okay. He also started reading a chapter of his favorite book to me every night after that for a few weeks when I was recovering.

I knew when we were kids. I know that seems crazy to some people. I also knew that when we were kids that we would never make it. I broke all contact with him. long story short, my grandfather was sick, and in the hospital, I went and saw him every day, FH made a surprise visit, and we went out, I didn't go see my grandpa that day and he passed away. I felt guilty, I broke up with him. 20 years go by, I found him again, made contact, and we talked on the phone everyday, until we saw each other, and I knew from the first kiss that we would be together forever.

When DH and I started dating we discussed how in previous relationships we felt pressured to say "I love you" because the other person said it first. We decided we wouldn't rush the feelings and if/when I love you was said it would be said with no expectation of a "I love you" in return. When I said I love you and he said it back, I knew then that he was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. That being said, I really got a good measure of the man he is about a year into our relationship. My ex MIL (the grandmother to my daughters) had passed away and my older daughter (then 20) was crushed (she lived with grandmother and had never had anyone close to her pass away before). I knew my daughter needed me but I was no looking forward to dealing with my ex's family. I asked my ex if he would be okay if DH attended the memorial for me. He didn't have a problem with it and DH had to use vacation time at work but he was there by my side the whole time while I supported my daughter. I knew then that he really was a "stand up guy" that I could count on no matter what.

I had never dated anyone longer than four months since I was 16 when I met DH. On our first date, we went to a coffee shop and he ordered a piece of cheesecake - and then offered to share it. That struck me because men are so possessive about their food LOL. We shut the place down. It was the first date in a long time that I wanted a second date. Our second date, he apologized for not being able to be a 'gentleman' and pay for me, because he was a starving student at the time... but he held the door, pulled out the chair - he was a true gentleman, and it had been a looong time since I'd met one. I invited him to my place after the fourth date, and we stayed up till 5am talking - JUST talking. Seriously. That blew me away. I think in my heart I knew by then, because there was not one atom in my being that could see an end.

I fought it. I really fought it. But I knew he made me a better person when I was with him - more patient, more thoughtful, kinder and more calm. He was 180 degrees from anyone I'd dated, or anyone I thought I'd be with, but anyone who knew me knew instantly this was different, and in my heart I knew too.

The cincher was a movie-worthy moment....

December 2009, we'd been dating five months. It started snowing - hard. They were calling for a foot or more of snow. DH called me and asked if I had food. I said yeah, I've got soup and sandwich stuff. "But you don't have hot food... you need hot food. I'm going to bring you some." I thought he was kidding (or insane).

DH walked from his apartment through the snow 1/2 mile to the only thing open - a Chinese carry-out - and ordered my favorite orange chicken, soup, and dumplings. Then, he walked to my house - nearly a mile, in 12" of snow, to bring me that hot food. I opened the door nearly two hours later, and he was standing there... I'm not exaggerating, I promise - there was a little pile of snow piled up on his head, and on his shoulders, and on the bag of food... he was drenched through because he had no boots, so he'd worn athletic shoes. I still cry thinking about that selfless act, so kind, so loving... he had not even said "I love you" yet, but I knew he loved me then. And any resistance was gone. This amazing man...

A few weeks later, he was leaving after a visit and I said "I love you". He said "I love you, too." I started crying and shaking and it felt like nothing I'd ever felt before. See, I'd told him a few weeks earlier that I couldn't stop myself from saying it any longer, but it was ok if he didn't say it back. He told me he'd never told *anyone* he loved them, because he felt like they were words used too casually, and without meaning they were without value. I was the first, and ONLY woman he's ever said "I love you" to, and that is the most amazing feeling in the world.

Everything just seemed to be easy. Meeting friends meeting family, things we wanted to do and see. We just really complemented each other. Now I just can't imagine my life or any life without him in it.

On our "second first date" we were out with friends and one girl was upset that her hair was messed up and she didn't have a brush.. So I told her to use a fork.. and FH immediately chimes in with, "Dinglehoppers work great, I hear"...

LOVE instantly.

Funny enough I was the one who took a little while to come around. When we met I going through the ending of a very rough divorce to my sons father. I was not ready for another relationship yet & I had a lot of trust issues due to my recent relationship. He stuck around and waited for almost 2 years until I was ready. Plus, he stepped right up and showed interest in wanting a relationship with my son. When my son showed that he cared for my FH was when I really started to fall for him. He is caring, thoughtful, has a great support system and is very much a family man (which is what I always wanted). He is my other half because he calms me & takes away my worry. I feel safe and trust him 110% with mine and my sons life.

I don't know when exactly I knew. We've been together since high school, of course no one thought it was the real deal. I think once we stuck through his first semester of college I knew he was the one. Not every guy successfully deals with their super jealous and bratty 16 year old girlfriend while they're a freshman in college. I knew he was a keeper.