I found you must be friends first. You must enjoy being around each other, talking, spending time together. You must have similar interests and goals. If you are religious i have found you must have the same spiritual beliefs because if children come along you will fight how to raise them. It happens all the time... I have seen it trust me. You must both have the same values... not like one wants a career and money the other wants to be a tree hugger and play in the dirt eating veggies living off the land. YOu have to have an agreement of the minds, very important. If the person is already a parent know this: you will never be number one, the child always will be so get use to it. The bond of a parent and child is stronger than a new partner. Do not make a single parent make a choice between you or their child, you will lose every time. And you have to be honest if they have children are you willing to do that? these are things to look at and consider before delving into another relationship... i hope this helps...tc and blessings