It feels strange from the outside. Maybe even a bit alarming. But after years with someone — with midnights spent fighting, bizarre medical emergencies, and the 4th rerun of your favorite show — your relationship no longer feels Instagram-perfect and starts to feel… unhinged, in the best way.
Communicating in Half Sentences
It’s eerie the way they converse. One is, “Did you—” and the other one is, “Yep.” Others are bewildered because half of the sentences are incomplete. But years of being together have led them to no longer require complete sentences. It’s like they have their own couple language that only makes sense within their love bubble.
Having Fights That Sound Like Inside Jokes
You’ll be whisper-snarl-groaning “don’t you dare bring up the towel thing again” at brunch — and no one has a clue what’s going on. To everybody else, it’s tense and mysterious. But to you, it’s the 3,567th rerun of an argument that somehow resolves in snacks and laughter.
Sitting in Complete Silence for Hours
No yapping, no texting, no five-minute check-ins. Just… being in the same space. Strangers sometimes even wonder if they’re arguing. But the truth? It’s the ultimate comfort zone — the love stage where you don’t need to fill up the silence. They’re in it, even when there’s no word.
Having Ongoing, Decade-Long Dumb Arguments
You’re still “bickering” over whether Ross and Rachel were broken up. Or whoever didn’t fill up the car with gas in 2016. It’s not even actually beef anymore — it’s a dead inside joke. Outsiders think it’s lingering tension. You two are aware that it is just one of those things you’ll never let go… and secretly don’t want to.
Celebrating the Most Ridiculous Anniversaries
“‘Happy first time we both called sick and watched garbage TV!’ Or ‘Happy ‘we made it through that terrible vacation to your aunt’s’ day!’ These are not highlight moments to others. But to you? These are worthwhile moments. Love isn’t grand — it’s in the goofy little wins.
Watching Each Other’s Boring Shows Without Having To Be Asked
You hate crime documentaries and melodramatic dating shows — but you watch them anyway. Not for the show, however, but for them. For their reaction. Their goofy expressions, their censoring, their rants. It is not the show — it is they who amuse you. That is the entire entertainment.
Having Weird Nicknames No One Else Understands
Ditch “babe” or “honey.” They’re using “Bread Crumb,” “Chicken Nugget,” or “Poptart” nicknames so liberally that the outsiders are largely perplexed. But their goofy nicknames always have quirky backstories only the two of them know. It’s a little cheesy, a little adorable… and 100% their own.
Engaging in Whole Play-Fights over Who Loves Who More
“You love me more.”
“No, you do.”
“Noooo, I’d die for you first.”
Other folks around them are all, “Are y’all five?” Yeah. Emotionally? Sometimes. But for real, though, it’s stupid, it’s mushy, and it makes life pretty when life’s throwing adulting punches. Let the haters get all riled up — you’re too busy fake-fighting over who is obsessed more.
Low-Key Competing Over Everything
From guessing the ending of a movie to who can parallel park better, everything turns into a game. Outsiders see competitiveness. Inside, it’s just playful energy — a way to keep things interesting when you’ve already heard each other’s life stories a hundred times.
Being Brutally Honest About Each Other’s Weird Bodily Noises
You’ve heard each other fart, snore, burp, hiccup, cough, and sneeze like you’re trying out for a cartoon. It doesn’t stop. You even score it sometimes. Squeaky fart out of the blue in a high-stakes conversation? That’s a 10. Other human beings are grossed out. You’re just giggling at your toast.
Randomly Scanning Each Other for Weird Moles or Bumps
Love in the age of dermatology. Your partner-in-crime works part-time as a GP for the select few. “What’s that lump?” “Is that the new one?” “Turn around, lemme have a look.” Strangers would call it invasive. To you, it’s love in the form of skin checking. Sexy? No. Intimate? Hell yeah!
Making Horrific Sounds Together Just Because
No literal words. Only random noises like “blehhh,” “ehhhh,” or a thespian breath all around the house. You never even notice when it begins. But now it’s your love language. It stumps strangers, makes your friends roll their eyes, and in all seriousness? It feels more satisfying than saying the words “I love you.”
Sharing Food in the Most Savage, Unapologetic Ways
You mention “share” but it never happens. Somebody steals the best bite, somebody double-dips, and somebody is always like “I don’t want fries” — and ends up eating yours. It’s betrayal. And yet it’s also the most intimate couple thing. Food crimes turn into love crimes now.
Responding To Each Other’s Questions Before They Are Asked
“Do you want—”
“Yes, and get the ketchup.”
You both operate on the same brain cells now. You can complete each other’s sentences — not in a sugary romcom fashion, but in a “don’t say what I’m thinking… oh god you just did” manner. It is psychic, frightening, and cute.
Feeling Weird When You’re Apart for More Than a Day
They snore, they hog all the blankets, trash the bed into crumbs — but when they’re gone for too long, you’re pacing back and forth like a lovesick teenager. You miss their mess. You miss their routine. And you think… that weird, messy, somehow telepathic love? That’s home.
16 Relationship Habits That Matter More Than Saying “I Love You”
If your partner is all talk but no show, what’s the point? These habits speak louder than any three-word phrase ever will be — and if they’re missing, well… perhaps it’s time to stop romanticizing red flags.
16 Relationship Habits That Matter More Than Saying “I Love You”
18 Arguments That Probably Mean Your Relationship Is Over
You have a bad day, one of you snaps, then you’re back to ordering food and watching TV like nothing happened. But then there are the other kinds of fights, the ones that feel like they don’t go away even after you say sorry, and they’re the ones that make you wonder if it’s even worth fixing.
18 Arguments That Probably Mean Your Relationship Is Over