7 Ways Love Empowers You to Be a Better Woman ...

As a single person, your life might have revolved around you. You could make decisions without checking in with anyone, and you pretty much did whatever you wanted. Now that you're in a serious relationship, you're happy to put someone else's needs ahead of your own. You're more than willing to sacrifice what you want in order to make your partner happy.

If you've never had a best friend or a close friend growing up, the strong bonds and connections you have with others might be limited to members of your family. As you get into a relationship and fall in love, you learn how to trust and care deeply about someone who isn't related to you.

If you've never been in love, it might have been easier to walk away from past relationships when problems occurred. But the moment you fall in love, you develop a strong desire to make the relationship work. So when problems arise – even serious ones – you don't immediately conclude that the relationship is over. Instead, you're willing to work with your partner to resolve the issues in the relationship and make the union stronger.

Not only do you learn how to put someone's needs ahead of your own, you also learn to compromise, work together and make decisions as a team. For example, you might have an idea of how you want to decorate the house you share with your partner. But your idea might clash with your partner's ideas. Instead of a "my way or the highway approach," you willing meet your partner halfway and choose a design scheme that works for both of you.

Since you're in love and want the relationship to work, this can motivate you to acknowledge your flaws, and it can create a desire to become a better person. Maybe you can be self-centered at times or not a great listener. If your partner complains about these character traits, love allows you to see things from his point of view.

Not only do you want to improve yourself, love empowers you to be there for your partner and help him succeed. You might become a more supportive person, encouraging your partner to work toward all his life goals.

Unfortunately, not every relationship survives -- even when you're madly in love. Breakups aren't the best feeling in the world, but going through one can make you a stronger person, and you can also learn a lot about yourself.

Falling in love can completely change you for the better, helping you become a more patient and understanding person. Not only will it empower you to be a better woman, it can empower your partner to be a better man.

How did your partner help you become a better person?