I've been mulling over the post I promised a few weeks ago about my shit show of a relationship with my ex (a true cautionary tale for those out there), and realized that also posting about greener pastures is equally as valuable. I'm entering month 7 together with my boyfriend, whose value just seems to get higher and higher every day. A few green flags I've noticed in this time:

-not a manchild. He is tidy, organized, responsible, and self motivated. He wakes up early to exercise and practice his hobbies. He goes to sleep with a clean house. On. His. Own. He has a good job and other smart investments. He owns a modest townhouse and lives well below his means.

-healthy hobbies! He plays piano, cooks and eats healthily, does home improvement projects, and cycling. Cycling is his passion and I really love the fact that the hobby that consumes so much of his time is so wholesome.

-long term pets. He has a thirteen year old cat that he saved as a 6 week old kitten and he is an amazing cat dad. He loves this cat like a child, and this shows me that he isn't scared of commitment.

-frequent, high quality communication. Quick video messages most mornings saying good morning and asking me how I slept. Video chats once or twice a day to say hi, catch up, and see how I'm doing. Frequent texts, be it memes, telling me about what his annoying coworker did today, or telling me his dad said hi.

-learns from his mistakes. We've had some tiffs! But he learns from them.

-judicious use of social media. His social media is memes, bicycles, and exercise videos. I'm on his social media, and clearly his GF.

-family oriented and many long term friends who think and speak highly of him. I've met them all and they're amazingly kind people!

-emotionally available. Easy and honest compliments, not afraid to let me know he cares. And he is a cheerleader for me! He's proud of me and my accomplishments and encourages me to keep up the hard work. He knows how to connect, and does. Time together is usually high quality. Willingness to discuss future plans.

-volunteers to help. His friends, family, and myself. He's helped me watch my animals when I'm pulling some heavy stretches at work, packs me lunches, has helped with laundry, chores at my house, cooked me meals to leave at my place when he knew I'd be busy, bought me groceries he remembered I needed.

Plus he's gorgeous with a jawline that could cut diamonds, funny, and the sex is amazing. They're out there ladies, keep your eyes peeled for those green flags! Anyone want to share any more green flags to help people know what ~to~ look for in addition to what to avoid? Or maybe expand on how to see the green flags and weigh them against other aspects?