1. I'dn't've
2. It'dn't've
3. Y'all'd've
4. You'dn't've
5. Whomst'd've
1. I'dn't've
2. It'dn't've
3. Y'all'd've
4. You'dn't've
5. Whomst'd've
Relationships. Long distance or not, significant others are much more than just that. I would be lying if I said I did not love the sweet gestures that only a boyfriend can give. The flowers, funny phone calls, hand holding, breakfast dates, and tight hugs are special but my relationship and many others out there exist on much more than just these little gestures. It is a tricky concoction that consists of one part boyfriend and two parts best friend and would not work without one part or the other. While having a relationship may not be quite as easy as baking a batch of cookies, it has its own recipe (with a few variations for flavor) to follow for a good match.
This recipe begins with a dash of awkwardness and smiles. Maybe you were set up on a blind date or have known each other for years, either way, once the ingredient of “more than friends” is thrown into the mix, it is a whole new ballgame. In my case, it began with lots of pure annoyance, time, and forced proximity. My boyfriend was quite literally the most annoying person I had ever met. Imagine the little boy on the playground who never stops pulling your hair and making fun of you? Yes, that’s him except rather than five years old and on a playground we were much older and worked together. Trick phone calls on work phones became a common occurrence from him as well as constant humiliation in front of customers. Sounds like the perfect start to a relationship right? After having to work with this five year old boy for a year, he finally began to grow on me. Remember the essence of time? Very important in this particular recipe because this time would eventually call for the friendship that I mentioned earlier.
After allowing this annoyance to settle in, friendship began to ferment. Whether it takes you seconds or months, a relationship is nothing without a huge scoop of friendship. It took this friendship months to emerge but once it did, a whole can of laughter and smiles had been opened. A relationship-friendship is unique because the significant other wants to know the big and little things, the ins and outs, the real you. Being working buddies, the real us was known from the start. Yes, you can flip-flop this crucial ingredient placement to another time in the relationship but it simply will not work without it. Like I said, two parts best friendship. This “friend zone” relationship was eventually matched with the awkwardness and smiles of something more. A first date of sweaty hands and nervousness but from the start I knew this was the right recipe for me.
This awkwardness was quickly overtaken by the “ever-important” friendship that I mentioned. The connection of a significant other became real. Time is added, yet again, to this recipe, though a different kind. This time is laced with memories made together. This time is the final ingredient to the recipe. A bond with your significant other can only grow with age. It is that time spent with one another that becomes necessary for the best friendship to continue. No, my recipe is not complete nor will it ever fully be. This relationship stuff is not about making it to the finish line because there isn’t one. There will always be more “things” you did not know about each other and more memories to make. Keep adding your ingredients and building up your recipe every day to make the best match you possibly can. Because though every recipe may be a little different, they are all just as sweet on the inside.
Fashion just keeps growing and changing and old trends are made new! Now, I'm no beauty guru, just a beauty guru wannabe, but personally I have compiled some stylish wardrobe must haves! These can be cute assets to go back to school or just to catch up on some of the latest trends...
Summertime is ideal for more than just hanging out and binging your favorite TV series with your friends. Although summer does bring rain and thunderstorms which is perfect for those binging days, take advantage of those nice and sunny days. There is so many opportunities to get out of the house and enjoy the season before the snow starts to come back. Here are 25 interesting dates that are doable almost anywhere for any age.
1. Zoo: Please name one person who doesn’t want to hangout with cool animals.
2. Lake/ Water Activities: Everyone loves being thrown off a tube or jet ski, whether you admit it or not.
3. Amusement park: Scream your heads off on rollercoasters, and expensive food.
4. Picnic: Take a cozy blanket and bring some of your favorite foods to watch the sunrise or sunset.
5. Camp Fire Night: Who doesn’t love s’mores? Or Beer?
6. Drive in movie: Let’s pretend we are back in the 1950’s and snuggle up in a car and watch a movie.
7. Baseball game: Sunshine, drinks, good food, and good music, what else can describe a better summer day?
8. Stargazing on a clear night: Calls for romance, seems more fun than starring at clouds during the day.
9. Strawberry picking: Summertime calls for juicy and ripe fruits, fresh picked strawberries are not only better tasting, but it’s fun to pick your own to eat, plus the field are really pretty.
10. Outdoor concerts: Summertime is known for concerts and music festivals, take advantage of the fresh air and get together with some friends to enjoy a good time.
11. Random road trip: Whether it’s 20 miles away or 200 miles away, get in a car, get a good playlist going and start driving.
12. Batting cages: Go hit some frustrations out and have a good laugh at all the balls you miss.
13. Go cart racing: Pretend to be a kid driving in a major race.
14. Mini golf: Those courses aren’t always easy, but it’s more exciting than playing 18-hole with your dad.
15. Late night drive with favorite playlist- Late night drives on dark country roads singing are some of the best moments a couple can share.
16. Fishing: Cast a line and see what you can catch, even if your best catch is the person that might be next to you.
17. Ice skating: Ice skating can be fun because it’s the opposite of summertime
18. Local park and swing on the swings
19. Play tourist in a town: There are about 31,000 different cities in the country, go find a new one.
20. Water park: Slides slides and more slides!
21. Board game night: Weather it’s monopoly or cards, bring out the competitive side of the other person.
22. Museum: It may be summer but the learning doesn’t have to stop.
23. Cook a home cooked meal together: Teamwork makes Dreamwork!
24. County Fair: Ride some risky unstable rides, and eat food that is so unhealthy but a must.
25. Shooting range: Break out those bad boys and show them how its done.
Philadelphia has its beauty, but some of you may have not been to some of the most beautiful hidden spots in the city. This summer is a chance for new adventures and exploring, so here are a few places that I highly recommend you should visit at least once.
Hammocks, pretty lights, yummy food, and good drinks...need I say more? Perfect place for a date or a hangout with your friends. The best time to go is at night, and it's located right next to the water. Franklin Fountain (aka the best ice cream spot in Philly) is right there, and you can't go wrong on a perfect sunny day. Definitely recommend if you haven't been yet.
Old city is the cutest part of Philadelphia in my opinion. The architecture is stunning and goes back hundreds of years. There is so much history there, and that's what makes it such a gem. Perfect spot to walk around and just explore!. Also good for picture taking! 10/10.
This place is located close to Drexel University. It is located on the rooftop, so you're going to have to go up the elevator to get there. It is a beautiful are of grass and greenery with a great view of the city. It is an ideal spot for those who want to have a picnic, or just wanting to lay and talk with someone. And again, a perfect place for picture taking.
Again, super obvious choice for Philly natives, but for those of you who haven't been should definitely come to Magic Gardens on South Street. Aesthetically pleasing and pretty art to look at. Definitely recommend this place for those willing to spend a bit!
The most beautiful views can be seen during sunset while overlooking Boathouse Row. Located on the east bank of the Schuylkill River, it is a great place to come sit and relax, and maybe even row some boats while you're at it. Riding bikes along here is also a fun thing to do.
Penn's Landing has it all. Concerts, movie screenings, fireworks, etc. There is always something happening at Penn's Landing, especially during the summer. Always keep an eye out online on the events that are happening here. Along the water once again, it is a place with beautiful views and a happy atmosphere. Last, but definitely not the least on this list.
So, here are some places you should visit this summer. I know, most of these are pretty common, but how many have you actually been to? And if you've been to all, go again, because these places are common and most talked about for a reason! Happy summer!
To my boyfriend's parents,
I just wanted to say that I know I probably didn't make a great first impression, and I am sure you've had some bad thoughts about me. I was quiet and awkward (and still am at times, and I am working on that) and I am trying my best to still impress you--I still get nervous about it. I know I am not much of a people person because I tend to be bad in social situations (and I am working on that too). But you should know that I wrote this to you because I care.
This is a thank you for raising your son the way you have. For teaching him to respect women, teaching him to be so generous, and teaching him how to be a gentlemen (even if he's a pain sometimes).
Thank you for letting me stay at your house, feeding me a lot, and taking me along to places. Thank you for always giving me such thoughtful, amazing gifts, and for everything you have ever done for me, and still do, even when I am gone.
Here are a few things I've learned about you and from you through your son:
Although he can be a bit of a handful sometimes, I can tell how much his family means to him. He always loves to stop by the house and just talk, to sit down and eat dinner, to spend time at home and bond. It reminds me of how important family is, to be together, and love each other and to never take them for granted.
When it comes to things like running and music, he gives his all, his 110 percent, and doesn't look back. He has passion and drive and determination to be the best he can be. He works hard and he cares, and his effort shows not only with those things, but the effort he makes in the relationship as well.
Trust is hard for anyone, but he has earned mine in all ways possible. Thank you for teaching him to not be deceptive, to mean his word, to be honest. It goes a long way not only in our relationship, but any relationship he will ever encounter.
A thank you for believing in his dreams, his goals, his ideas. Going to his cross country meets, his track meets, and supporting him. For believing in us and the long distance. Because through that, he has my back and is there for me. He gives me strength and takes away my doubts; he gives unending support for what I want to do. He believes in me.
With him being so carefree, it has kind of rubbed off on me as time goes on. He knows how to laugh at himself and make the best of a bad situation. If something isn't going as planned he always looks for the positive, and now I do too, more so than I ever did before. He might not always be serious when he should be, but his way of not stressing over the little things is something more people need to be doing. Thank you for bringing up such an easy person to be around.
(And I know it doesn't always show, haha!) But he really is filled with patience, even when I'm being difficult for no reason or indecisive. He knows when to give people space and just be patient as they cool down. He is OK with waiting and with me when I'm being irrational and completely ridiculous.
One thing I can always count on him for is to put a smile on my face. I could be in the worst mood, but he never fails to somehow make me laugh. He is extremely funny and uses his humor for good. He can lighten a mood or break the ice in any kind of situation, and that is a quality everyone needs to have. Thank you for raising him with a comical side.
Of all the lessons I have learned from him, this is the greatest of them all. Of course sometimes he is a mooch, and convinces me to buy him B-dubs (because he is almost too good with persuasion and sales), but he actually is one of the most generous people I know. Before he had a job and was getting paid every two weeks, it wasn't easy to go out to eat all the time, or see a movie, or whatever it was that we wanted to do. I paid for things (which I didn't mind because I think the girl should pay sometimes too!) a lot of the time when I could. But through all of that, if I really wanted something he was sure to get me it. He might not have had anything, but he gave me everything. And now, with his job, he spoils me rotten and I have to tell him to stop.
Thank you for raising your son the way you have. Thank you for bringing him up well. Thank you for everything.
Songs About Being 17
Grey's Anatomy Quotes
Vine Quotes
4 Leaf Clover
Self Respect
1. Brittany Morgan, National Writer's Society
2. Radhi, SUNY Stony Brook
3. Kristen Haddox, Penn State University
4. Jennifer Kustanovich, SUNY Stony Brook
5. Clare Regelbrugge, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign