Here's to the high school sweethearts who everyone thought were "just a phase." Here's to the young college couples who withstood every obstacle that came their way and came out even stronger. Here's to those "young lovers" who proved everyone wrong.

I know what it's like to be in a committed relationship at a younger age, and I know that it's anything but easy. But boy, can it be worth it. I have been absolutely blessed with a loving boyfriend, Jacob, who has made me feel like a princess for two years now. If you know me personally, you can attest to how easily stressed out I can become and how I worry over the tiniest things. But Jake is always there to hold my hand when I need that support, and I can never thank him enough for all the love he has shown me and continues to show me.

Now, enough about my sappy love story.

The truth is: this is the real deal. Our relationship is more than just one of those week-long dating phases that happened in middle school (and don't lie; it happened to all of us at least once).

So why is it that a couple who has been together faithfully for six months, one year, or even two years is "just young love" purely because they aren't adults who have figured out what they want to do for the next 70 years of their lives? Why do older generations sneer at the thought of young couples saying those three important words? Is it such a crime to commit yourself to loving someone before you commit to a major or a career field?

I'm just going to go back to my little love story real quick. Jake gave me a promise ring for our two-year anniversary this past week. Of course, feeling like I was floating on Cloud Nine, I wore it to work over the weekend. And I had customers asking me if it was an engagement ring and what a promise ring actually meant. I explained that it symbolizes the promise my boyfriend made to one day ask for my hand in marriage. Wow, they eyed up that ring and myself as if I had three heads. I had no idea what I was talking about. I probably don't even know what true love is.

Well, in fact, I do. And I also know that true love doesn't have an age requirement. I know that when you're in love, you just get this feeling like your heart is jumping for joy and your whole body gets all tingly. Your cheeks hurt from smiling so much and you barely want to blink because you're afraid you'll miss something. You feel so at peace when you're with your loved one, and after you leave, you immediately start counting down the days until you get to see them again. This feeling of falling head-over-heels for someone doesn't change whether you're a teenager in high school, a college student in your early 20s, or someone who is in their 30s or 40s, has found a steady job, and is ready to settle down. Heck, you could be retired and still fall in love.

But to all my young lovers out there: trust me, you can make it. Don't listen to anyone who thinks they can tell you when you should or shouldn't be in a relationship. Only you can determine that. And it won't be easy; no relationship ever is. If there's any advice I would give based on my personal experiences, I would say that communication is key, especially with the constant changes that we're all having in our lives right now, like college and new jobs. But if you stick it out and give it your best shot, this could be the best relationship of your whole life, and it could even lead to saying "I do" at the end of the aisle.

So yes, it might be "young love," but it could be the best love of all.