Actions speak louder than words, and that’s true about your body language. And how you interact within your romantic relationship reveals a lot about how you and your partner feel. If you want to know how to interpret your body language, here are five postures and what they indicate.

When he holds your hand

According to Terri Orbuch, a couples therapist, professor and author of 5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage From Good To Great, “Touch symbolizes intimacy, emotional closeness and happiness in a relationship.” So, clasping each other’s hands, while walking side by side shows that you’re happy and close.

When he places his hand behind your back

This body language can be good or bad. The good part is that it can show that he cares about you, and wants to make you comfortable. On the flip side, it can be read as  a way to establish power over someone.

When he puts his arm around your waist

This is a common posture for pictures. But he keeps his hand around your waist when you get up or need to walk ahead of him, it can be a sign of either possessiveness or worse, his insecurity, according to Orbuch.

When you lean toward each other

When you lean into him (or vice versa), It shows a desire that you want to be closer together – a great sign of both physical and emotional intimacy.

When you walk in front of him (or vice versa)

This body language can go in one of two ways. It all depends on the context. If your partner is walking ahead of you, it could signal disrespect, impatience or a bit of ego. On the other hand,

it can also be a sure sign of respect. For example, letting someone go ahead of you when you need to walk single file, or allowing someone to take the lead. However, depending on the dynamic of your relationship, you can probably decide which one it is for yourself.