A simple boyfriend is someone you are infatuated with. He's someone you may obsess over and even feel love for, but until you experience these three things, he's not the love of your life.

Does your man pass the test?

1. You see a future with him

I don't mean that you see yourself with him for the next couple of years - you need to see you with him forever. You see yourself having children with him, seeing him through school, getting old together. You start using words like "when" instead of "if".

And it's not only you that sees this future, but him as well. If he's the love of your life, he'll plan things for the two of you. You save for trips to go on and adventures to have in the future together. You talk about how many kids you want and what their names will be.

There are some people you just know you can't make it work with. Perhaps your desires are too far apart, or you can't agree on the basics. It may be fun to spend time with him, but it's not a forever type of relationship. You'll know it's real when he's someone you can spend forever with.

2. You've made it through a few fights

Everyone fights, but not everyone who fights is meant to be. Some arguments may end a relationship, while others end up strengthening it. If you've experienced some fights with your current boyfriend and made it through to the other side, it's a good sign that you're meant to be together long-term. But if you've made it through a big fight, then it's definitely true love.

Being able to see that a disagreement is not enough to split you up is a clear sign that you care for each other more than your pride. Being able to say you're sorry and to forgive one another means that you do love each other enough to make it through whatever life may throw at you!

3. You bring out the best in each other

There are certain people who can bring you down. When you're around them you feel a little less hopefully, and a little sorrier for yourself. There are also people who lift you up. They give you confidence in yourself and help push you to be the best version of yourself possible. If you find a guy who brings out the best in you, then he is someone worth keeping around. If you can also bring out the best in him, be a cheerleader when he's down, encourage him when he is discouraged and call him out on his faults, then you two are made for each other.

Our relationships with others can really affect how we act and react to what is going on around us. Being able to find someone who is the right mix of encouragement and love, is hard to do, so if you've got someone who does just that, don't let them go.

This is not a perfect formula or guarantee that your man is perfect for you, but if you've experienced one, two or all three of these with your current guy, you're pretty darn close to true love. Take some time to honestly re-evaluate your relationship and decide if you're ready for the next step.