Whitney Houston sang about the question many of us ask ourselves in relationships, “How will I know if he really loves me?”

You’ve probably dropped an “L” bomb or two in your lifetime, especially if you’re like me.

I’ve never said it without meaning it, but now that I’m older I realize at least one of those statements was more of a “I don’t want to be without you I can see myself falling in love with you down the road so I’ll say it back to avoid being awkward.”

Isn’t it fun when you mature and look back at your immature moments?

Since then I’ve learned a lot about what it means to really love my significant other and to accept him for who he truly is, to cherish him, support him, be honest with him, and share my true self with him. I’m at a point in my current relationship where I’m ready to take the “love plunge.” Truth be told, I have been for a few months now. However in our discussions over the past 8 months, I know deep down it’s a step he would like to initiate, so I’ve respected that and held back. It’s not easy, sometimes I think it’s going to come bursting out of me!

In the past, this wait probably would have driven me nuts. It would make me anxious and insecure in my feelings and fearful of the future. While I still have my occasional moments, I’ve realized that actions really do speak louder than words and that’s important in a serious relationship.

I don’t stress over it too much because I can tell he cares about me by the way he treats me, the way he looks at me, talks to me, accepts me for who I am, listens to me, kisses me, holds me, wants to protect me, and pushes me to be the best version of myself. It’s a new experience for me because I’ve never felt that secure and connected with my significant other before.

And for now, that’s just as good as an “L” bomb.