10 ways to tell if he's the one

IT can happen in the blink of an eye. Attraction. Excitement. Romance. But for too many Sisters who are searching for Mr. Right (not Mr. Right Now), the game of love is a crooked road of broken promises where the coveted jackpot, referred to as "the one," is too late, long-gone or maybe destined to never show at all.

But there is hope.

"Although there is risk in love, there are also great rewards when passion and purpose fall within the right embrace," says Dr. Grace Cornish, author of 7 Spiritual Truths to Recognize and Marry Your Very Own Soul Mate. So before you jump on the twisted path of romance, familiarize yourself with the signs you'll encounter along the way, and recognize which will lead your hopes and heart to the man of your dreams. The following tips should help you gauge the possibilities and help you determine if he's "the one":

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* He Listens to You. Before your man opens his heart to you, he has to first open his ears. "Genuine concern manifests itself in listening to the cares, concerns and issues of your woman," says Anthony Woodson, president and CEO of BlackLoveForever.com, a matchmaking service that has resulted in nearly 500 marriages. "A man who wants to be around you for the long-term will be a good listener when you need him. He will be a dependable source of guidance and support and will not turn a deaf ear simply because the problem is too big. If he doesn't know the solution, he will try his best to find one."

* There is a Natural Ease and Flow. Relationship experts say there is a natural chemistry that defines your interaction when you meet your perfect fit. "You don't have to push it, force it, tug it, pull it or cut the edges to make it fit," says Debrena Jackson Gandy, international speaker and author of All the Joy You Can Stand. "There is an undeniable ease and flow to the relationship. You can see it and others around you can as well."

* You Don't Have to Compromise Who You Are. A person who you have to change for isn't the person for you. "You should maintain and enjoy a continued, if not healthier, sense of self when you are with your partner," says Tandra McMurray, a 30-something Chicago single who has had her share of "Mr. Wrongs." "He should make you feel good about being you, while always encouraging you to be better. If a man doesn't feel good about himself, it will be hard for him to make you feel good about being you."