When heading off to college everyone told me to go have fun and to not tie myself down. Many people say to stay away from relationships, to enjoy being single. While I agree being single is tons of fun, there is something about being able to enjoy the company of someone familiar, as well.

I met my significant other, Brandon, before I came to college and he was a freshman at the university. At the time I was 17 and not ready for a relationship so, when he pursued me, I turned him down. I ended up coming to the University of Arizona, went through rush, and really enjoyed being a student. I had my fair share of fun, went on a couple dates and enjoyed being single just like everyone tells you to do. But there was something missing. Brandon and I had remained friends and even had a class together. We ended up hanging out more and were becoming closer than before. It wasn't until New Years Eve of last year that our relationship really started. Brandon had a lung collapse so I came to the hospital to be with him. We spent New Years together and I knew there wasn't anyone I'd rather spend it with. Ever since we have been inseparable. People ask me all the time if I think I made the right decision, and I do. 

Recently, we celebrated his 21st birthday. He didn't go out to strip clubs or to a casino. Instead, we spent the day together and I did my best to make him feel like he was the most important man in the whole entire world. I told him I wished that I could do something better for him or that he could go out with his friends and he turned to me and said there was no place he'd rather be and that he loved me. You just can't beat that. Here are our favorite benefits to being in a relationship in college. 

1. You can always depend on someone. If I need something done Brandon will do it for me. The biggest one is washing and vacuuming my car. I hate doing it and if I ask, Brandon will gladly do it for me. 

2. You never have to struggle to find a date. When we have a date dash Brandon always gets excited to find a costume and go hang out with my sorority sisters. I have never met a man so excited to get dressed up and hang out with a bunch of my girlfriends but, like I said, its awesome. 

3. They know you better than anyone else. Brandon knows me probably better than my own little sister knows me. He knows when I'm mad, when I'm hungry, he even knows my Taco Bell order by heart. Who wouldn't love that? 

4. You gain a whole new family. I have a great relationship with Brandon's family. I have a whole new support system that I didn't have before. If I ever needed something, I would have a whole other family besides my own to back me up. 

5. We want have fun in college, too. The only difference between us and some other student is that we are having fun together. We have done so many cool things together and will continue to. We went on spring break in California together and we hang out with our own friends all the time, too. 

I never thought I would be a relationship type of person and I think a lot of people think that about themselves. Sometimes it's important to open yourself up to the idea of sharing your life with someone else. It doesn't matter if Brandon and I last forever, the point is that for right now we are the happiest we could ever be. I hope that other people see that too. Sometimes life is better with someone else around to enjoy life with you.