James Carter
Not all love is the same. Some couples share a bond so deep, so rare, that it feels almost otherworldly.
It’s not just about passion or compatibility—it’s something more. A connection built on trust, mutual growth, and an unshakable understanding of each other.
You might have seen it in a couple you admire, or maybe you’ve been lucky enough to experience it yourself. Either way, this kind of love isn’t common—but when you see it, you know it’s special.
So how can you tell if a couple shares this rare and extraordinary kind of love? Here are seven behaviors that set them apart.
1) They truly listen to each other
Most people hear, but few truly listen.
In an extraordinary relationship, both partners make the effort to understand—not just respond. They don’t interrupt, dismiss, or wait for their turn to talk. Instead, they give each other their full attention, making the other person feel valued and heard.
This kind of deep listening builds trust and emotional intimacy. It shows that both people respect each other’s thoughts and feelings, even when they don’t agree.
It’s not just about communication—it’s about connection. And in a rare kind of love, that connection is everything.
2) They support each other’s growth
I used to think love was about always being together, doing everything side by side. But then I met my partner, and I realized that real love isn’t about holding on tight—it’s about giving each other space to grow.
When I decided to switch careers, it was terrifying. I doubted myself constantly. But instead of questioning my choices or worrying about how it would affect us, my partner became my biggest cheerleader.
They encouraged me when I felt stuck, reminded me why I started, and celebrated every small win along the way.
That’s when I understood—extraordinary love isn’t just about loving who someone is today. It’s about believing in who they’re becoming and helping them get there.
3) They handle conflict with respect
Every couple argues—it’s inevitable. But what sets extraordinary couples apart is how they argue.
Research shows that in healthy relationships, the way a conflict begins predicts how it will end 96% of the time.
If a discussion starts with criticism or contempt, it’s likely to escalate. But if it starts with kindness and understanding, it has a much better chance of being resolved peacefully.
Couples who share a rare kind of love don’t avoid difficult conversations, but they approach them with respect. They don’t aim to “win” the argument or tear each other down. Instead, they focus on understanding, compromise, and finding a solution together.
4) They enjoy silence together
Some people feel the need to fill every moment with conversation. But in an extraordinary relationship, silence isn’t awkward—it’s comfortable.
There’s no pressure to always be talking or entertaining each other. Just being in the same space, feeling each other’s presence, is enough.
Whether it’s sipping coffee in the morning, reading side by side, or taking a quiet walk, these moments strengthen their bond without a single word being spoken.
It’s a sign of deep connection—when two people don’t need noise to feel close.
5) They make each other feel safe
Love isn’t just about grand gestures or passionate moments—it’s about feeling safe in someone’s presence. Safe to be yourself, to express your fears, to share your dreams without judgment.
There’s something powerful about knowing that no matter how messy life gets, someone is in your corner. That even on your worst days—when you’re overwhelmed, when you doubt yourself, when everything feels like too much—they don’t pull away. They stay.
This kind of love doesn’t make you feel like you have to earn it. It’s steady, unwavering, and secure. And that kind of safety? It’s rare.
6) They find joy in the little things
Extraordinary couples don’t need grand vacations or expensive gifts to feel connected. They find happiness in the small, everyday moments—inside jokes, a shared look across the room, dancing in the kitchen while making dinner.
They turn ordinary routines into something special just by being present with each other. Even a trip to the grocery store can feel like an adventure when you’re with the right person.
Love that lasts isn’t built on big, fleeting moments. It’s built on the little things, repeated over time, that make life together feel effortless and full of joy.
7) They choose each other, every day
Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a choice. And couples who share something rare and extraordinary make that choice over and over again.
They choose to show up, even when it’s hard. They choose patience when things aren’t perfect. They choose kindness when frustration creeps in.
No relationship is effortless, but the strongest ones are built on two people who never stop choosing each other.
Bottom line: Love is in the details
The strongest relationships aren’t just built on passion or grand romantic gestures. They thrive in the quiet moments, the small choices, and the daily acts of love that often go unnoticed.
Psychologist John Gottman, who has spent decades studying relationships, found that couples in lasting, happy relationships consistently make “bids” for connection—small gestures like sharing a laugh, offering a reassuring touch, or simply paying attention when the other speaks.
The difference between couples who stay together and those who don’t? The ones who last turn toward these bids, responding with warmth and engagement.
Love isn’t just something that happens to us—it’s something we cultivate. And when two people show up for each other, listen deeply, support growth, and find joy in the little things, they create something rare. Something extraordinary.
