12 Special Qualities A Man Has That Mean You Should Never Let Him Go

Some men are better than others. Yes, we're all equal human beings, but nevertheless one can easily make the argument that some men are better people than other men.

An even easier argument to make is that some men are clearly better suited for being loving partners than others. Some men simply aren't cut out for the job. This isn't to say that they won't one day be, but every man is the wrong man for you at some point in his life or another.

All people develop over time, learning and adapting different characteristics over years and years of trial and error. There are many characteristics that make a man a great man.

There are many characteristics that make a man a great man for a woman to have by her side. I'd argue that the two are the very same.

Here are the 12 characteristics that, in my opinion, if you find in a male partner prove he's a keeper:

1. When He Looks At You, He Really Looks At You

If a man looks at you directly in your eyes, creating an invisible attraction that connects the two of you, then he isn't simply looking at you; he's looking into your soul.

He's trying to get a glimpse of the person that remains hidden beyond your eyes – the you that you keep to yourself and yourself alone. He's trying to find that essence that makes you, you; he's looking to glimpse at your soul, but more than just that… he's trying to introduce your soul to his.

There's a very specific look that two people in love share. It's a recognition of the deeper self of the other person. If your man looks at you in such a way, then consider yourself a lucky woman.

2. He's A Kind Man, But Not A Pushover

There are overly-aggressive men, who try to position themselves above everybody else. There are also weak-willed men who avoid all commitment and confrontation. You'd be better off staying away from both types of men.

There is a type of man who manages to combine the strengths of both power and sympathy. These men are kind at heart, yet brutal in battle. They don't start fights, but finish them. That's the type of man you want because he's the type of man wise enough to pick and choose the best of both force and compassion.

3. He's Driven, But Patient

To live a good life, you need success because success is the standard we judge everything by. You don't need to necessarily become a millionaire or a world champion of sorts, but little successes throughout life are pertinent to living a life of which you're proud.

However, success – just like life – is a long and winding road. Without patience, you are likely to reach the end faster, but what the end will have to offer won't likely be what you were aiming at. Take the journey and what it brings as it all comes.

4. He Has Incredibly Ambitious Dreams, But Is Down To Earth Nonetheless

What woman doesn't want a dreamer who's both realistic and humble? It's probably the ideal composition of any man – a man who wants the stars, but understands that he may only get the moon.

Yet, he doesn't allow the realization to hinder his ambitions, nor does he allow his successes to blow up his ego. This sort of man will never stop doing his best to make your life better, but won't promise you things he can't deliver.

5. He Can Cook

Let's be honest… a man who knows his way around the kitchen is sexy. Take any average Joe and throw in some Iron Chef-inspired cooking skills and he gains at least two points. More than the sexual appeal, a man who can cook often prepares more of his own meals, tends to eat healthier and tends to be healthier overall. A healthy partner is a great partner for obvious reasons.

6. He's Physically Active

His being physically active is likely to lead to him being physically attractive – and more sexual active as well. It may not seem like a big deal right now, but if you're in this for the long run or are, at the very least, considering it, then you're going to want a man who exercises regularly.

You have to keep in mind that men peak sexually very early in life. If he doesn't stay physically active then chances are your sex life won't be very physically active either.

7. He's Brilliant, But Not Cocky – Well, A Little Bit Cocky, But Not Too Cocky

If you found yourself an intelligent, wise and sharp man, then he may be a keeper. As long as he isn't too cocky, of course. A man who's a bit cocky is attractive – just like confident women.

We're programmed to appreciate strength in every and any form. However, if he's too cocky, then be wary. Those guys tend to balance on the fence between being bearably cocky and being complete assh*les. Sadly, the smarter ones tend to be dicks a lot of the time.

8. He Has An Uncanny Ability To Make You Laugh And Smile

If you have a man who doesn't make you laugh and smile, then you should end the relationship right now. To be honest, you probably shouldn't have ever been in that relationship to begin with. The more he can make you giggle and light up, the more he deserves you.

9. He Tells You He Loves You Although He Doesn't Really Have To – You Can Feel That He Loves You

Words are great – I make a living using them. However, they fall short in comparison to actions. Words, ideas, concepts, intentions… are all great and useful at the right time. Yet, actions are and always have been the most powerful forces on the planet.

It's great if your man tells you he loves you because you surely enjoy hearing it; everybody does. Yet, if his actions constantly fall short and you find yourself hearing that he loves you, but not feeling it, then he doesn't love you the way you should be loved. You can't allow yourself to settle for that.

10. He's Willing To Lose An Argument For The Sake Of Keeping The Peace

Couples argue. Every couple that has ever existed has had its fair share of arguments. People argue because they believe that they are right or simply wish to be right because it makes them feel better about themselves and, therefore, argue in order to achieve that feeling of righteousness.

Unfortunately, when it comes to arguments, if one person is right, then the other must be wrong. You deserve a man who doesn't want to make you feel wrong – at least not when the argument is really over a matter of opinion.

11. Whenever You Need Any Sort Of Help, He's Always Offering To Give You A Hand

Again, the importance of his actions cannot be stressed enough. Men are pretty simple when it comes to loving someone – what you see is basically what they feel. When they are there for you, when they take care of you and do their best to keep you happy, they care for you.

You're on your guy's mind all the time because he loves you. He will do just about anything for you and won't even think twice about helping you in a time of need.

12. Without You, He Loses Himself; You've Become A Part Of Him Because He Wants To Keep A Part Of You

When a man loves a woman, he wants a piece of her that he can call his own. It isn't about her body, but her mind. It's the way she thinks, the things she does, how she does them. What she likes and doesn't like. What she believes to be important and what she believes to be trivial.

When a man loves a woman, he takes these little parts of her as his own. They become a part of him, change him and the way he thinks, the way he sees the world.

What is important to her becomes important to him. The way she does certain things becomes the way he does certain things. You both give up a little part of yourselves and adapt the other's habits.

The man of your life is the man who loves you so much that he's throwing away pieces of himself just to make room for pieces of you.

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