Flash backs reveal she was constantly rooting for him. I don't just mean being at his side all of the time. For example, the Chunin Exams early tests she was cheering him on or giving him whatever aid she could muster up to give (the salve etc).
And Naruto's fear and uncommon self-confidence [during the match with Neji] was one of the most important parts of his life and she was there to talk him up, so being there for him from the start (from the shadows too) and sharing in the most down days of his life when no one else was is what makes her "being there" for him even if she wasn't actually by his side like Sakura (who was barely ever nice to him). <3
And yes, her constant respect and adoration from even a young age. She was a waifu even before waifu.