Top Qualities to Look for in a Partner, According to Matchmakers

Finding a romantic partner who is the perfect match for you isn’t always an easy feat. After all, there are so many things you need to keep in mind and consider, on top of determining if you even like or love that person in the first place!

Because it can sometimes feel overwhelming, we’re here to help. Whether you’re assessing if your current partner might be the one or searching for someone who would make a good mate, we’ve compiled the top qualities in a relationship so that you know what to look for in a partner. 

From making sure you’re with someone who respects you to determining if you share similar relationship values, this list of qualities and traits can help you decide what to look for. Follow our advice below to see if your partner (or future partner) hits the mark. 

Honesty

Trust and honesty are biggies when you’re wondering what to look for in a relationship. Do you and your partner mutually trust each other? Or are you always catching each other in a lie or sneaking around behind each other’s backs?

You see, without trust, you both might start forming insecurities, as you constantly question each other’s motives or wonder if they’re lying about where they are or what they’re doing. This can spiral out of control, causing you to doubt each other and experience undue stress and worry. 

If you want to build a strong and healthy relationship, you need to be honest with one another from the very beginning. Find someone who is forthcoming and transparent and doesn’t make you question their every move. 

Respect

Respect is another one of the top qualities in a good partner. This means your partner will accept all of you, from your own qualities and quirky characteristics down to your accomplishments and achievements. 

When your partner is respectful, it also means they respect other parts of your life, such as your friendships with others and your need to spend time alone. If your partner listens to you, values your opinions, and supports your aspirations, then it’s a sign that they respect you—and a green flag in your relationship.

Supportive

Your relationship won’t always be smooth sailing, so it’s essential to find someone who is supportive of you during your highs—and your lows. You want a partner who will encourage your aspirational endeavors and cheer you on but who will also give you a hug when you fail and help you rebuild when things fall apart. 

Reflect on the way your partner supports you. Do they make you feel like the soft landing gear that will gently catch your fall? Or do they feel like the reason you need that emergency gear in the first place? 

Reliability

If you want to go the distance with your partner, then you need to know you can rely on them for both the little things and the big things in life. This means you can count on them to show up when you need them most and that they’ll be true to their word. Look for someone who is there for you, whether you need a ride to the airport or a shoulder to cry on. Being emotionally available is just as important as the physical aspect.

Kindness

Kindness is one of the best qualities in a relationship. But instead of only analyzing how they treat you, look at how they treat other people in their lives, from their mother to the waiter at a restaurant. Are they understanding and respectful? Or are they impatient and demanding? If your partner is kind, then they’ll treat everyone they encounter with a gentle demeanor and open heart. 

Shared Chemistry

When it comes to your relationship, there needs to be some kind of spark between you and your partner. This spark or chemistry is what sets a romantic partner apart from a friend. Do you feel a connection? A sense of romance? Or a desire to be intimate?

Empathy 

Empathy is another of the crucial qualities in a good partner. After all, it is empathy that gives someone the ability to understand and convey feelings. You should look for a partner that is capable of interpreting your thoughts, feelings, and emotions and making sense of them. If your partner has empathy, then they can sympathize with you and try to understand what you’re going through, even if they don’t feel it for themselves. This trait will help your relationship in all sorts of situations, from the small differences in your opinions to the larger disagreements. 

Independence

Search for someone who is independent and willing to be on their own sometimes. This might mean your partner makes alone time a priority, tries out new solo hobbies, and encourages you to spend time with your friends and family. A little space and distance is healthy in a relationship, as it gives you the room to thrive and grow individually and as a couple. 

Shared Values and Goals

It’s important to first identify your own pillars of purpose. These are the core values that you live by and that guide your decisions in each area of your life. What’s important to you? What beliefs do you follow? And what political or religious views shape your opinions?

When connecting with a potential romantic partner, having tactical knowledge of these core values—or even making a relationship values list—will help you assess compatibility. Think about what relationship values are most important to you and look out for someone whose own values align with yours. 

Then, identify your goals for a partnership. What are you looking for in a relationship? Something long-term, casual, with or without kids, etc.? Aligning on relationships goals and values sets the stage for mutual understanding and compatibility.

Communication

This is a key ingredient to establishing and maintaining a successful relationship. Both parties should be open to sharing their desires and frustrations—and work (kindly) toward solutions when disagreements arise. The regular application of transparent honesty and open communication ensures you’re always functioning as a team. 

Sense of Humor

If it’s one thing you need to get through life, it’s a sense of humor. And the same goes for your relationship. That’s why finding someone who can laugh off the small things or find the hilariousness in an outrageous situation is an important factor in a successful relationship. There’s no reason to be serious all the time, so look for a romantic partner who can crack a joke to lighten the mood. 

How to Find Your Ideal Partner

Now that you understand the best qualities in a relationship, how do you actually find a person who demonstrates them? With the seemingly endless number of dating apps, it can be overwhelming to meet people this way, sifting through profile after profile, then putting a ton of effort just to find out that they’re not for you. Dating apps are, of course, a useful and sometimes successful option, but they can lead to dating fatigue. 

When you want to know how to find love outside of dating apps, try these options. 

Meet People Offline

In-person meet-cutes aren’t things of the past (yet). Meeting people organically is a wonderful way to get a feel for their personality instantly and see if you share chemistry; with dating apps, this will take more time. Don’t overlook the power of offline dating opportunities, and remember to keep putting yourself out there. 

Try Matchmaking

Using a matchmaking service is another fantastic way to meet people—and not just anyone, but other singles with the same goal of finding a committed partner. Tawkify is a matchmaking service that sets people up in a blind-date format, with matchmakers that feel like a trusted friend, using your preferences and relationship goals and values to create personalized matches. After each date, you can provide feedback that will help your matchmaker continue to curate the best match.

Knowing the best qualities in a relationship and having a Tawkify matchmaker by your side, you can find your person.