When you think about romantic love, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s grand gestures, unbridled passion or that instant spark of attraction. But, a 2024 study published in the Journal of Psychology reveals that love is about so much more.

Researchers asked participants what their partners did that made them feel most loved, and their answers highlighted three powerful yet often overlooked behaviors.

Here are three ways to make your partner feel deeply loved, according to the study.

One of the most significant ways people feel loved is when their needs are met with “positive responsiveness.” Research shows that when we perceive others as caring, validating and supportive, it enhances the quality of our relationships. This isn’t about fulfilling their every request, but about showing genuine care, affection and support.

Researchers found that people feel most loved when their partners treat them positively through the three following avenues:

Another way to make your partner feel truly loved is by bringing your authentic self to your connection, regularly checking in with each other and showing them that it matters to you to spend quality time together.

Participants suggested two primary ways that partners nurtured their authentic connection and made them feel loved. Here’s how you can apply them to your relationship:

“People (felt) loved when both partners’ feelings and thoughts were in sync with each other, such that the two parties become mentally one,” the researchers write.

Lastly, one of the most powerful ways to make your partner feel loved is by being a trustworthy, unwavering presence in their lives. This is about being reliable and creating a relationship where they feel safe, secure and valued throughout, even in your most challenging times together.

Researchers found that people feel deeply loved when they experience such dependability and unconditional love from their partners. Here’s how to incorporate this into your own relationship:

The beauty of these behaviors is that they don’t require perfection, just genuine effort, intention and consistency. At its core, love is about creating a space where two people can be their truest selves without fear.

It’s not about perfection or always having the right words to say. It’s about the quiet moments of understanding, the small acts of care and the steady presence that says, “I’m here, no matter what.”

What’s surprising is that the things that make people feel most loved aren’t complicated or extravagant. They’re simple, human gestures—being present, being kind, being reliable. And yet, these small acts have the power to shape a relationship in profound ways. Through these acts, you’re doing more than making your partner feel loved—you’re also giving them the courage to love you back just as deeply.

Are you feeling truly loved and satisfied in your current relationship? Take this science-backed test to find out: Relationship Satisfaction Scale