Having someone in your corner, cheering you on and helping you endure misfortunes is one of the most meaningful aspects of life. This type of support system makes us more confident and allows us to take risks and pursue our dreams.

However, relationships aren’t all about positive reinforcements and a shared life vision. They are also about building a strong bond that can stand up to the barriers that life brings and help you to become the best version of yourself.

But how do you know if your relationship is headed for long-term territory? Registered psychotherapist Natacha Duke shares some tell-tale signs that you’re in it for the long haul, as well as some checks and balances you can use to reassure yourself that things are on track.

1. You trust them.

In a healthy relationship, you trust your partner to keep your interests in mind, protect you physically and emotionally, and make choices that will benefit you both. This goes beyond believing that they won’t cheat on you, it means being able to talk about the hard stuff in a way that doesn’t leave you feeling humiliated or degraded.

2. You don’t lose yourself in your partner.

A big red flag is when you find yourself sacrificing your own passions or hobbies for your relationship. This can happen even if you’re in a happy, healthy relationship, and it can be easy to fall into without realizing. To ensure that you don’t lose yourself, make sure that each of you is still pursuing your own passions and hobbies while also having a couple culture project, like watching one movie a week or having a weekly book club.