Men Who Are In A Relationship For The Long Haul Do These 12 Things

If he does these things, he’s committed for the long term.

A man with a beard in a white t-shirt and a woman with long brown hair in a denim jacket are seated close together near the edge of a calm body of water, smiling and looking at each other. The background includes parts of a white structure and the reflection in the water.

Any visit to Reddit or other online communities will show countless questions from people who are wondering whether their man is in the relationship “for the long haul”. If your guy does the things on this list, you know he’s truly committed to you.

1. They make their partner their priority.

A man and woman sit together on a modern grey sofa in a stylish living room. The room features a geometric rug, large green plant, framed wall art, and scattered cushions. The couple appears relaxed and engaged in conversation.

A guy who’s in it for the long haul won’t neglect his needs or wants, but he will make his partner his priority. He’ll stay home instead of going out with friends if his partner misses him, and may sometimes set his desires aside to surprise them with something sweet.

2. They get to know their partner’s likes, dislikes, and interests.

A man and woman sit at a table in a bright kitchen, enjoying coffee and pancakes. The man gestures with his hand while talking, and the woman holds a coffee cup, attentively listening. Both are casually dressed and appear engaged in conversation.

Whether it’s his partner’s favorite foods, things they like to collect, hobbies, or what they like in bed, he’ll make a point of getting to know all their likes and dislikes. This makes holiday gift-giving a lot less stressful, and shows them that he sincerely cares.

3. They make it clear to other potential partners that they’ve settled down.

A man with short brown hair and a beard smiles at the camera while sitting comfortably outdoors. He is wearing a blue denim shirt over a grey t-shirt. Sunlight filters through the background trees, creating a warm and serene atmosphere.

If he’s been casually dating or flirting with other potential partners, he makes it known to them that he’s made a choice to commit to someone and is settling down with them. He may still stay friends with some of them, and that’s fine, but they know he’s off-limits romantically.

4. They get to know their partner’s friends and family members.

A smiling woman with short dark hair hugs a woman with long red hair, both enjoying the embrace. A man in a blue shirt stands in the doorway behind them, watching with a warm smile. The setting appears to be a home entryway with wooden doorframes.

A guy who isn’t committed to a relationship will find excuses as to why he doesn’t want to get to know his partner’s friends, nor attend family get-togethers. In contrast, if he’s in it for the long haul, he won’t just get to know these people—he’ll save their birthdays on his phone.

5. They put effort into the “small things”.

A man and woman sit at a table in a shopping mall, each with a coffee cup. The woman, smiling, looks at the man while holding a yellow shopping bag. They seem to be engaged in a pleasant conversation. Shopping bags are visible next to them.

He may despise the true crime docu-dramas his partner loves, but he’ll recommend good ones he’s heard about, and provide snacks while they’re watching them. He’ll get to know how they like their coffee, and might run them a bath or rub their feet when they’ve had a rough day.

6. They find a middle ground with their partner.

A man and woman enjoy a sunny day outdoors. The man is wearing sunglasses and smiling, while the woman, dressed in a light brown cardigan over a white top, holds a red cup and laughs. The background shows greenery and a clear blue sky.

He wants a white bedroom, they’d prefer yellow, so they go with white paint and yellow curtains. They want French food, he’d prefer Thai, so they choose Indonesian because it reflects both cuisines. Whatever it is they’re negotiating, he works with them to find solutions that make both partners happy.

7. They take better care of themselves.

A man in a blue tank top and white shorts, wearing sunglasses and earphones, looks back while running on a sandy beach under a clear sky. The beach has scattered rocks, footprints, and cliffs in the background.

When a man finds a person he’d like to be with long-term, he wants to spend as much time together as possible. As a result, he’ll start putting more effort into eating better and exercising, so he can be as strong and healthy for as long as possible.

8. They talk about the future and make plans with their partner.

A man and woman are sitting at a table, smiling and engaged in conversation. The man is wearing a suit and tie, while the woman has blonde hair and is wearing a white top. The table is set with various dishes and a glass of wine. The background is blurred.

Rather than “future faking” with the person they’re with to string them along, they discuss real plans that they’d like to experience in a shared life together. Whether it’s having kids or buying land to raise mini cows, they don’t just talk about it—they make plans and put them into action.

9. They’ll use their talents or skills to do something significant for their partner.

A person with short hair is painting on a canvas. The artwork appears to be an abstract depiction of a woman, featuring bold lines and vibrant colors. The artist is using a small brush and focusing on the details of the face.

Whatever skills he has, he’ll use them to do something special for his partner. An artist might paint a portrait of them, a carpenter might build a reading nook for them if they’re an avid reader, or a mechanic might restore a vintage car for them that they’re completely in love with.

10. They check in with their partner regularly to make sure everything is going well between them.

A man and woman are walking together outdoors near a bridge. The man, wearing a maroon sweater and sunglasses, looks ahead with a neutral expression while the woman, in a leather jacket and jeans, smiles and holds his shoulder affectionately. The background is slightly blurred.

A man who wants to cultivate a healthy, long-term relationship will check in regularly to make sure that their partner is happy. This might involve establishing (and re-negotiating boundaries), seeing what needs to be done in the house, checking in to see if there are any tensions to work through, and so on.

11. They go above and beyond to make sure their partner knows they’re devoted.

A smiling woman with long braided hair and yellow earrings sits next to a smiling man with wavy hair and a beard. They are both casually dressed and are outdoors with blurred greenery in the background.

He might make sure that he’s transparent about finances, or involve his partner in phone conversations with friends or colleagues, and so on. If there’s any possible room for misinterpretation or insecurity, he dispels those and makes it clear that he’s devoted to them for a lifetime.

12. They endeavor to be the best version of themselves possible.

A young couple enjoys a tender moment on a beach. The woman, wearing a straw hat, gently touches foreheads with the man, who is smiling warmly. They both have their eyes closed and appear to be content. The beach and water are blurred out in the background.

If there are self-destructive behaviors he’s used as a crutch to get through difficulty, he’ll cut back on those significantly—not because his partner is nagging him to do so, but to ensure that he can be the best version of himself for this relationship, and because those crutches are no longer needed.