Dating Diaries: 10 Signs of a Healthy Relationship

Do you and your bae have a good thing?

February Is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month - This month marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month — an issue that impacts too many African-American young people. In order to be in a healthy relationship, you have to know what it looks like. Here are some signs that your bae respects you and your relationship. —Kellee Terrell (Photo: Cavan Images/Cavan Images/Corbis)

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February Is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month - This month marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month — an issue that impacts too many African-American young people. In order to be in a healthy relationship, you have to know what it looks like. Here are some signs that your bae respects you and your relationship. —Kellee Terrell (Photo: Cavan Images/Cavan Images/Corbis)

You Both Give Each Other Space - Yes, during those early days of love, you want to spend every minute with your boo, but we all know that being together all the time can be a strain or a sign of control. A healthy relationship is one where you both have space to explore relationships, not just with each other, but their friends and families, too.  (Photo: Boone Rodriguez/Masterfile/Corbis)

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You Both Give Each Other Space - Yes, during those early days of love, you want to spend every minute with your boo, but we all know that being together all the time can be a strain or a sign of control. A healthy relationship is one where you both have space to explore relationships, not just with each other, but their friends and families, too.  (Photo: Boone Rodriguez/Masterfile/Corbis)

You Respect Each Other’s Sexual Boundaries - From wearing condoms to getting tested for HIV/AIDS and STDs to having consensual sex, a healthy relationship is one where there is a mutual respect when it comes to sex and protecting each other.  (Photo: Wavebreak Media LTD/Wavebreak Media Ltd./Corbis)

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You Respect Each Other’s Sexual Boundaries - From wearing condoms to getting tested for HIV/AIDS and STDs to having consensual sex, a healthy relationship is one where there is a mutual respect when it comes to sex and protecting each other.  (Photo: Wavebreak Media LTD/Wavebreak Media Ltd./Corbis)

Try to Not Be Bitter  - Even if it’s super tempting, please try not to be sarcastic and remind him that he is a cruel jerk who couldn’t leave it in his pants while you two were together. You are the better person, so try to act like it. And if you can’t, hey you tried! We get it. (Photo: Carey Kirkella/GettyImages)

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You Trust Each Other - Trust takes time, but without it, you don’t have a relationship. Trust means not checking each other’s phone, Facebook and other social media accounts. Trust means believing what each other says. If you have mutual trust, then you have something incredibly special. (Photo: Atsuko Tanaka/Corbis)

Is Love Really Enough? - Of course love is the mutual cornerstone in salvaging any relationship — however it takes a lot more than love to build a long lasting, successful partnership. By all means, use your heart, but please don’t forget to use your head as well when playing the love game…again. (Photo: Radius Images/Getty Images)

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You Inspire Each Other to Be Better - When you are with someone who you think is so great — and that person thinks the same of you — you inspire each other to be better. Whether it’s a better student, more positive person or to work out more, the right person encourages you to be the best person you can be. (Photo: Boone Rodriguez/Corbis)

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You Both Fight Fair - When we fight, sometimes we can hit below the belt with our words. But if that’s the norm — using disparaging and mean words to communicate — that is a sign of a toxic relationship. Learn to listen, think before you react and speak from the heart when you are arguing. (Photo: Hill Street Studios/Blend Images/Corbis)

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You Both Fight Fair - When we fight, sometimes we can hit below the belt with our words. But if that’s the norm — using disparaging and mean words to communicate — that is a sign of a toxic relationship. Learn to listen, think before you react and speak from the heart when you are arguing. (Photo: Hill Street Studios/Blend Images/Corbis)

You Both Keep Your Hands to Yourself - While this may seem obvious, there are still many young folks who think that violence is a norm in a dating relationship. A healthy relationship is one that is void of any form of violence — physical, mental and financial. It should be one of the utmost respect.  (Photo: Image Source/Corbis)

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You Both Keep Your Hands to Yourself - While this may seem obvious, there are still many young folks who think that violence is a norm in a dating relationship. A healthy relationship is one that is void of any form of violence — physical, mental and financial. It should be one of the utmost respect.  (Photo: Image Source/Corbis)

You Hold Each Other Down - Life can get real: From failing an exam, to getting laid off to losing a parent. A sign of commitment and love is being there to support and love one another when times are really rough. If you have that, you have something really special.  (Photo: Zave Smith/Corbis)

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You Hold Each Other Down - Life can get real: From failing an exam, to getting laid off to losing a parent. A sign of commitment and love is being there to support and love one another when times are really rough. If you have that, you have something really special.  (Photo: Zave Smith/Corbis)

You Spend Quality Time Together - Yes, sex is a huge part of a romantic relationship, but it cannot be all that you all do. Spending quality time means going out, talking, building a strong connection by bonding and doing activities that you both enjoy.  (Photo: Randy Faris/Corbis)

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You Spend Quality Time Together - Yes, sex is a huge part of a romantic relationship, but it cannot be all that you all do. Spending quality time means going out, talking, building a strong connection by bonding and doing activities that you both enjoy.  (Photo: Randy Faris/Corbis)

You Support Each Other’s Opportunities to Excel - You got into grad school, got hired at a new job or are training for that 5K. When you are in a healthy relationship, your partner is happy for you, not trying to undermine your success with their own insecurity. It’s important to be with people who will cheer you on as you meet your full potential. (Photo: JLP/Jose Luis Pelaez/Corbis)

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You Support Each Other’s Opportunities to Excel - You got into grad school, got hired at a new job or are training for that 5K. When you are in a healthy relationship, your partner is happy for you, not trying to undermine your success with their own insecurity. It’s important to be with people who will cheer you on as you meet your full potential. (Photo: JLP/Jose Luis Pelaez/Corbis)

You Share Your Emotions With One Another - Being vulnerable in front of other people isn’t easy, but it isn’t healthy to keep it in, especially when you are in a relationship. If your partner isn’t being open about these things, it’s time to have a serious conversation.   (Photo: Rachel Frank/Corbis)

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You Share Your Emotions With One Another - Being vulnerable in front of other people isn’t easy, but it isn’t healthy to keep it in, especially when you are in a relationship. If your partner isn’t being open about these things, it’s time to have a serious conversation.   (Photo: Rachel Frank/Corbis)