Five practices that show up repeatedly in what women in long relationships say actually makes them feel loved.

1. Listen to understand, not to reply or fix. Most of the time, she's not asking for solutions — she's sharing her experience. Listening without redirecting is the skill.
2. Remember small details. Names of coworkers. The name of her favourite barista. The brand of tea she likes. Small memory = large signal of attention.
3. Initiate household effort without being asked. Notice what needs doing and do it. Being asked for help feels like being a hired hand; noticing feels like partnership.
4. Express affection physically, beyond sex. Hand on the back in the kitchen. Hug that's longer than a few seconds. Morning kiss before anyone's brushed teeth. Non-sexual physical affection is the infrastructure that everything else rests on.
5. Protect her emotionally in public. Defend her in her absence. Don't criticise her to friends. Speak of her with respect. She will hear about it.

Five practices. None are dramatic; all are sustained. Sustained attention is what communicates love most reliably in long relationships.