Women are great. Like really, really great.

As a strong, independent woman, I can confidently reiterate that women are a necessity in all heterosexual men’s lives. The woman you’re dating should enrich your life. In fact, she should make it so amazing, that you can’t wait to marry her.

Here are 10 ways to know that the woman you’re with is the one you should marry.

1. She’s sweet.

A sweet woman is hard to find — especially in a big, tough city. So a good woman is surely a keeper. When you find a woman who is sweet, or any version of it, put a ring on it!

2. She makes you smile. 

Whether you’re in Central Park or in the South of France with her, she makes you really, really happy. You should be able to laugh and be silly with her. Communicating is easy because you can talk to her, and I mean really talk to her. You feel safe and comfortable sharing your emotions with her. You know she’ll be by your side through thick or thin.

3. She’s a good partner.

Your life is better with her in it. She’s someone you can build (and imagine!) a great life with. Picturing having a family with her is a no-brainer, because she’d be a good mom. She’d be such a great wife that you’d consider giving her a wife bonus. Just kidding!

4. You want to be with her.

Plain and simple, you want to be with her. You hear stories from your friends about how they love being single, or they dread seeing their wives. Maybe your single friends talk about how they don’t want to give up the bachelor life. Your coupled friends say they work late just to avoid spending quality time with their significant others. But you don’t feel that way. Being with her never gets old. You want to be with her — as much as you can! 

5. She thinks you’re a dime piece.

You catch her checking you out pretty often. You might be in gym shorts, or in black tie formal, and she always thinks you’re the sexiest man alive.

6. You trust her.

She’s loyal. You know she’s your ride or die lady. She’d never cheat on you, because she loves you too much. She could be on a girls trip in Ibiza for 10 days straight and you know you have nothing to worry about. She’s there when you need her and she makes you a priority.

7. You think she’s hot and sexy.

She could be fully dressed, or sans clothing, but when you look at her, you think “Daaaamn.” You know you’re lucky, because she’s so hot and sexy.

8. She’s your biggest supporter.

She’s always singing your praise. Whatever life has in store for you two, you know she’ll be your biggest cheerleader. She’s always there for you.

9. Everyone likes her.

Everyone likes her because she’s that wonderful. She’s easy to talk to. She’s friendly and personable. She’s so great that even a homeless person would want to be her friend.

10. She lets you have space.

A good woman will give you space. She doesn’t crowd or smother you. Man days, man nights, man cave, you name it — she lets you do your “man” things.