12 Signs Someone Sees A Future With You

It’s not just eye contact that’s a good sign someone likes you — it’s the intensity of it, too. "They'll look directly into your eyes with a level of intensity that makes your heart aware," relationship expert and author, Cindee Bartholomew, tells Bustle. "They will often continue to stare at you even after you look away and when you look again at them they will smile again."

A person who is interested in you from the get-go will be motivated to learn more about you. If the person remembers things you've said earlier on and is able to reference them as the conversation progresses, Coree Schmitz, professional matchmaker at Tawkify, tells Bustle it's another huge indicator of interest.

"In today's society where being present in a conversation is one of the hardest things to do, giving a new person full attention during [a conversation] is one of the highest compliments," Schmitz says. "To me that says, of all the 1,000 things I could be thinking about right now, I prefer to genuinely hear and think about what you have to say."

You may have heard before that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. According to Alyssa Bunn, professional matchmaker at Tawkify, that rings true for first dates.

"You may notice your date 'mirroring' or subconsciously copying your body language, gestures, speech patterns, or attitude," Bunn says. "If your date is interested, you'll get the energy you're giving off. So it's important to keep your verbal and nonverbal body language in check. If you're closed off, negative, or not fully present, you may squash the romantic spark before it even has a chance to emerge."

Think "wide eyes, bright smiles," Kimia Mansoor, professional matchmaker at Tawkify, tells Bustle. If someone thinks you're someone special, they'll be curious about you. "They'll ... [observe] you carefully to try to learn as much as possible," Mansoor says. "They'll want to know more about you." Even if someone seems quiet, shy, or reserved, they'll still be listening and paying attention to all the little details.

According to Stephanie Churma, spiritual relationship coach and owner of The Good Love Company, there's a look people get in their eyes when they're completely captivated by someone. "You'll best spot it when you're knee-deep in a story about anything that lights you up," Churma says. People who are attracted to you will nod and smile. But the one who sees you as something special will watch and listen intently "with actual awestruck."

We all want to feel understood, especially in romantic partnerships. "If someone thinks you're special, they'll want to showcase how similar they are to you or how they can empathize with you," Samantha Campbell, professional matchmaker at Tawkify, tells Bustle.

For instance, if you're sharing a story about your cousin who's about to have a baby, they might share how they just went to their first ever baby shower. Or maybe if you complain about how your favorite snack from Trader Joe's is no longer being produced, they might joke they're still grieving over the closing of their favorite restaurant. Whatever it is, they'll try to make connections between what you say and their own experience. "Whether it's conscious or not, they're trying to say, 'Hey, I get you,' and hoping that you feel the connection, too," she says.

Laughter has been known to improve relationships. But everyone has their own idea of what's funny and not. So as marriage therapist, Kimberly Hershenson, tells Bustle, "If [they] already find you funny early on, they likely think you’re special."

In fact, a 2015 University of Kansas study put this idea to the test. Researchers put together 51 pairs of college students who identified as heterosexual. Each pair was told to sit together in a room alone to talk for about 10 minutes. They were then given a survey to fill out after. As it was found, people who shared more laughs together were more likely to say they were romantically interested in each other. If someone's laughing at your jokes when you first meet, it's a good sign.

A good sign that someone thinks you’re amazing is the amount of focus and attention they put on you and only you. "They don't want to talk to anyone else," Hershenson says. "If they were around you the entire time and didn’t bother to meet other people or [start] up a conversation with anyone else, it's a sign they think you’re special."

When someone is completely focused on you, they'll stay engaged in the conversation. You won’t find them checking their phone or responding to their friend's text while they’re with you.

Rori Sassoon, relationship expert and co-owner of matchmaking agency Platinum Poire, tells Bustle that if it feels like time time is flying when you’re with them, that’s a good sign early on that they think you’re special.

If someone's interested in you, it doesn't matter how long you've already been talking — they'll still want more. "Anyone who's genuinely smitten with you will want to extend your time together," Churma says. So if they're asking you to grab coffee after dinner or just take a walk to talk more, it's a good sign they’re interested.

As Sophy Singer, professional matchmaker at Tawkify, tells Bustle, when someone thinks you’re amazing they won’t waste time trying to see you again. "Before the date (or random social encounter) is over, they're already testing the waters by making future plans," Singer tells Bustle.

While Singer says they might not ask you right then and there, they will make a mention of something fun that the two of you might enjoy together in the future.

When someone thinks there might be a future with you, they’ll be invested in your happiness early on. If you have a goal or bucket list item that they can help fulfill, they will make the effort to do so. According to relationship therapist Kimberly Panganiban, LMFT, these could be simple goals like finishing up a project, or a bigger goal, like finding a new job.

“If they offer to help in any way, this is a sign they really care about you and your future,” she says. “While some people are open and direct, most people share their feelings a little more indirectly in the beginning in case the feeling isn’t mutual.”

As common as it is to text back and forth all day with someone you like, according to Dr. Carla Marie Manly, clinical psychologist and author, a person who sees you as something special will make it a point to ask you about your personal needs for staying in communication.

“They’ll want to engage with you on a level that feels right — neither underwhelming nor overwhelming amounts of connection (e.g., texts, phone calls, and dates),” she tells Bustle.

If someone has strong feelings for you, it will show through their reaction when you compliment them. According to couples therapist Ana De La Cruz, LMFT, tells Bustle, “We communicate that feeling through different venues, through our eyes, our smiles, our way of walking, our way of moving our hands and of course, our choice of words.”

Cruz suggests starting by complimenting your date on how nice they look. Then, carefully analyze their reaction. Do they have a smile on? Do they seem excited or happy? Do they become flustered? Do they compliment you right back?

“If what you are saying is making them uncomfortable, most likely the person will be indifferent to your compliment, they might try changing the subject, keep it short, or cut you off,” Cruz says. If any of this happens, there’s a good chance they might not be into you.