How Priscilla Chan realised Mark Zuckerberg was ‘the one’: ‘It was an experiment…’

Elaborating on whether there was a turning point in their relationship, she added, “Mark has always made me a braver version of myself. He is always cheering me on. He believes in me. But I have to say that there’s no one fairytale moment. I think it works because we work hard to show up for each other.”

Shruti Padhye, a senior psychologist at Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, believes that the initial infatuation or “spark” in a relationship can be captivating, but what truly sustains a relationship over time is emotional maturity and emotional compatibility.

“Can this person own up to their actions, offer a sincere apology, and handle conflicts without resorting to blame or avoidance? If they can’t, that initial allure may quickly fade when faced with the realities of life,” she asked, adding that emotional maturity comes with self-awareness.

“Mark has always made me a braver version of myself,” says Chan. (Source: Instagram/@zuck)

Padhye also shared some key signs to help you figure out if you have found your life partner:

Look out for values, not just hobbies

We often focus on shared interests that are great, but it’s the shared values that really matter. While sharing the same interests and hobbies eases the initial phases of the relationship, what sustains a relationship is the ability to share values about the way of being. Do you both see eye to eye on money, family, ambition, spirituality, and parenting? Differences in these fundamental areas can lead to long-term tension that even the best playlists can’t fix.

Check their relationship with themselves

Pay close attention to how they talk about themselves, how they deal with setbacks, and whether they can sit with uncomfortable feelings. Someone who is emotionally self-aware and capable of introspection is less likely to project their issues onto you and most likely also to hold a space for you when you are at your lowest.

How does your nervous system feel around them?

This might sound a bit unusual, but notice how your body reacts when you’re with them. Do you feel safe, calm, and understood, or are you constantly on edge, seeking validation or fearing misunderstanding? Our nervous system often picks up on things our minds try to rationalise away.

Take note of their relationship history and attachment styles

It’s not about counting past partners or passing judgment, but rather understanding how they’ve handled previous relationships. Do they take responsibility for their part, or do they label every ex as “crazy”? Patterns in their past can be quite telling. It also gives you an understanding of their attachment styles and their love language.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.