I can understand how dating multiple people can become a ego boost. You’re in high demand, people are jockeying for your time, it’s all about YOU. It’s all fun and games until somebody wants more.

This is usually when the drama starts. It’s not always easy pursuing these mini “relationships” and then you have to decide how and when to narrow things down to one…or at least TWO.

I have noticed that younger guys say that it’s best to juggle many women, but it gets really old, really fast for them. I’ve seen a lot of people who prefer to date one person and see how things turn out.

Do you think single people are still playing the numbers game? Do you prefer to have multiple men or women to choose from or date only one person at a time?

What are the pros and cons to juggling multiple dates? What’s the best way to do it without causing unnecessary drama and using deceit?

With that in mind, we have come up with 15 signs that you’re dating a soul mate. You don’t have to check off all of these points to be sure about someone — but if you can say yes to several, you’ve found a very special mate.1. You tell him things you don’t tell anyone else. We don’t mean blurting something out when you’re emotionally unstable, but the desire to tell him intimate details about your life means you trust him — a major component of successful long-term love.

2. You let her see you in moments of weakness. It’s easy to be happy with someone when you’re feeling good about life. But what about when you’re not doing so well? Do you want to see her when you’ve been denied a raise, or your cat died, or you had a plain old bad day? She should be a comfort during tough times, not a burden.

3. You respect him. You don’t want to change the essence of who he is. There may be stuff that irritates you in everyday life — he insists on wearing his favorite holey T-shirt, he eats sugar cereal for dinner, he still watches Saturday morning cartoons — but you like him, plain and simple.

4. You want him to meet your parents. You feel proud of him and you want to show him off — as opposed to feeling like you have to make excuses for him.

5. You can imagine a future together. You don’t have to practice writing your first name with his last name, but do you periodically let your mind wander to picture a life together? Is it amazing?

6. You’re not afraid to disagree with him. You know that even if you fight, he’ll listen to you and won’t brush you off. He takes you seriously, even when he thinks you’re wrong.

7. You want to work out your major differences. If you do have crucial differences that will impact your future together — different opinions about religion, money, or something else — you want to work them out with him, and you believe you can come to a conclusion that will satisfy both of you.

8. You laugh together. Laughter is one of life’s simplest pleasures — you should definitely be able to crack each other up.

9. You’re incredibly, utterly, surprisingly attracted to her. Physical chemistry is an undeniably important ingredient in a healthy relationship. And if she’s not a classic beauty or your usual “type”? Even more reason to think she’s the one.

10. It’s OK to be quiet around her. You don’t feel like you have to fill the space between you with chatter or other interaction. Instead, you feel an easy comfort.

11. You feel like yourself around him. You don’t feel like you have to edit your thoughts; you’re not self-conscious or anxious.

12. You need him the right amount. You long for him — but not too much. Some neediness is good, but too much breeds discontent.

13. You don’t feel too jealous. You’re comfortable with him going out with his friends — even female friends. You let each other have your own lives and hobbies.

14. You feel like she makes you a better person. She makes you feel smart, funny, attractive, creative — like the best version of yourself. You feel like she brings out and complements the best parts of you.

15. She just gets you. Sometimes it’s that easy. You feel like she understands some essential part of you that you can’t explain or articulate. It’s a warm, comfortable feeling — and one you should have with the person you marry.

You take the leap and you have an initial feeling of utter bliss and joy. The moment you fall out feels surreal and unbelievable. Then perhaps you look at exactly how high you are and maybe start to panic a bit. You hope that your rip cord works and that you and your partner won’t fall too badly because you know it will hurt if your parachute doesn’t open.I know this makes falling in love sound terrifying and exhilarating all at once. That’s kind of the point, really. It can be the best feeling in the world when it’s good. When it’s bad? Ouch. It doesn’t matter how scary it is, most of us won’t stop chasing that feeling of being in love.

Have you ever been in love? How would you describe the emotions? How did you know that it was love and not lust? What about that infatuation phase? Is it a dangerous thing to mistake infatuation for love or is that a natural part of it?

What do men think when they feel that first surge of strong emotions about a woman? What if they aren’t prepared for it and it catches them by surprise?

Why not begin 2010 with thinking outside the “dating” box and move out of our ridiculously safe (read: dull) comfort zones.  Let’s all make a list of the most outrageous, non-traditional, completely out of your character date activities you can think of and then go do it! We all need to participate so we can all report back to share how great/terrifying/outrageous thinking outside the dating box really is.  We could even vote on who has the best idea and who was the bravest!

You know a great place to start?

Who is up for the challenge? What kind of outside the box activity can you do with a date? What can you do that would be completely out of character for you?

What would you do if money were no object and you wanted to go the adventurous route for a date. Where would you go and what would you do?