21 Real Brides Reveal When They Knew They'd Found "The One"

When it comes to life partners, it's not always love at first sight (but spoiler alert: Occasionally it is). We asked real brides in our community Facebook group, The Wed Thread, to share when they knew they'd found "the one"—and they proved sometimes it's an obstacle, a breakup or a routine laundry day that makes someone realize the depths of their love. Either way, you'll find these stories all have one thing in common: They might make you cry. Grab the tissues and see how 21 brides discovered they'd met the person they'd spend the rest of their lives with.

1. "I come from a divorced family and never had much luck with love. But I knew he was the one when I lost my job early on in our relationship and he supported me financially for six months without a fight or complaint. He didn't mind giving me spending money or helping me practice for job interviews. He stuck by my side through a really difficult moment in my life." —Amy

2. "It may be cliché, but I knew right away. He had this look the first time he kissed me—his eyes were filled with love. I knew then that he was the one, and he's never stopped looking at me that way." —Stephania

3. "Five months into dating, we took a backpacking trip up along California's Lost Coast. Being able to spend five days with just that person—with no distractions, no internet, no television, no other people—made me realize he was the one for me. Five years later, we took the same trip and he proposed at one of our original campsites." —Brie

4. "He got military orders to go 3,000 miles away for eight months. We had to decide what to do, and in that moment, I just knew I wanted to be with him no matter what and I couldn't imagine a future without him. So we made the distance work!" —Olivia

5. "We had a rough start to our relationship because we were doing long distance. I tried to break up with him multiple times, but he wouldn't let me knowing that there was something special between us. We ended up sticking it out and our relationship became better and stronger because of it—two years later and we're engaged and own a house together!" —Isabel

6. "Whenever I'm having a tough time with something, I usually end up driving back to my parents' house to feel comfort. But soon, he became the feeling of home for me. When home was a person and not a place, that's when I knew." —Morgan

7. "I knew from our first kiss. We met at a bar during a football game, and it was the only one our team lost that year. When we left the bar, as we were walking away, he turned and kissed me, and I just knew this was it." —Samantha

8. "She moved in with me after only a few months (which is not like me at all!) and then once we lived together, it was like the missing piece of the puzzle. I realized she was the one when we were lying in bed and she told me she loved me—I'd been thinking it too but was too nervous to say anything. For the first time in my life, I was speechless. She got upset because she thought I didn't feel the same. Finally after what felt like forever, I was able to say it back. I realized how much I loved this woman—no one has the power to make me feel so happy, flustered and nervous all at the same time." —Katie

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9. "He was always one of my best friends and I never saw him as anything more—until one day, I was dating someone else and needed a ride home from a party. The guy I was dating stayed out at bars instead of picking me up. When my best friend (now fiancé) found out my situation, he offered to come get me and it finally all hit me. I spent so many years chasing all the wrong guys, but all along, I'd had the right one right in front of me." —Mariah

10. "He was shy and neither of us jumped to say, 'I love you.' I knew he was the one when I nearly blurted it out without thinking because it felt so natural." —Brie

11. "About six months into our relationship, I was sitting on his bed on a boring weekday night. He came in with his laundry and started folding his socks. I just remember being so content in that simple moment—I looked at him and realized I could watch him fold socks for the rest of my life, happily." —Jenna

12. "I knew he was the one when he became my best friend in every way. We started traveling together and I couldn't imagine going through big or small moments without him. A year into the relationship, we were already planning our wedding. I can't imagine being with anyone else." —Isabelle

13. "For me, it was when I saw our differences and realized how frustrating it was, but we learned to handle each other. Now he just understands me. When I'm sad, he knows I don't always need advice; I just need a really long hug. It's this feeling of being wholly loved and completely safe with him. I've been through a lot of bad apples, and he's the only one I've been able to completely let go, let my walls down and be myself with." —Julie

14. "After our first date, I just knew. He was absolutely everything I've ever looked for in a man—sweet, sincere, funny, successful. He had the same long-term goals and a similar upbringing as me. It was like lightning struck." —Vanessa

15. "We went to a baseball game on our first date and I was home by 9:30 p.m. My mom was shocked I was home so early, so I texted him to see if he wanted to go back out for round two! He agreed and we ended up sitting at a diner until 3 a.m. I knew then I would marry him." —Courtney

16. "The moment I absolutely knew was when my grandmother passed away. I had to quickly go home to help with my family. When I came back, I found he had totally cleaned my apartment and had fresh flowers on the table. It was the most selfless thing anyone's ever done for me." —Nichole

17. "I wasn't looking for a relationship. I was newly graduated, focusing on my career and just happy on my own. But our first date felt so comfortable, and about a month later we were talking about what we wanted for the future. I realized I wanted him as my future." —Jessi

18. "Not many men are willing to wait for you until your wedding night." —Allegra

19. "I knew when I saw how well he fit in with my family. The first time my dad called him directly to hang out—I just knew." —Amelia

20. "We were both having a really, really tough day. Instead of just comforting each other with, 'It's okay,' we ended up praying together. Everything clicked and the stars aligned. I knew we could get through anything with each other." —Abby

21. "It may sound kind of silly, but he's the only person that's been able to touch my sensitive feet without me flinching." —Haley