I bet I know what you’re thinking: don’t do that, it’s just a recipe for disaster. I hear you. Most people would probably say this isn’t a good idea. There’s no guarantee. There is no sure promise that we won’t break up. Then I’d have to deal with seeing him around campus, why would I want that? Or what if he meets someone new? I get it. If things went awry, it could be really painful. I wouldn’t be able to just pretend he doesn’t exist, because he’d be there in person to assure me he isn’t imaginary. I’ve heard every possibility under the sun. I’m not naive, I don’t disregard these hazards.

But this is a risk I’m willing to take. Maybe my boyfriend and I have more experience than the next couple, but before we made this decision we spent a year doing long-distance. While I have spent my first year of college in New York, he has been back home in California. It’s been hard. So hard that I’ve spent nights crying over our separation. I can’t help it. My decision to go to New York was from a dream I had since a young age. But, my priorities have changed. Maybe that’s a red flag for some, but one of my more immediate priorities is my relationship. In a time when love is harder to come by, I stand by my choice. As apps like Tinder make this modern world a hook up culture and love gets twisted by likes and followers, it isn’t easy to find a significant other. We’ve become a society of withdrawn individuals who focus more on immediate gratification and outward appearance that we have lost touch with what love is really about.

I decided to transfer to the same school my boyfriend is going to attend because I wanted to be closer. Sure, I wholeheartedly believe that we would still be together if we maintained a long-distance relationship for the next few years, but what does that say about how I feel about my relationship? That it’s not important to me? No, that’s not true. I just want to be closer and see him every day.

One of the best things about going to college with my boyfriend is that we battle ups and downs together. By being present and offering support, we bring out the best in each other. He helps me with my work, I help him with his. When I’m having a bad day, he wants to hear about it. He’s a shoulder to cry on, a person to kiss, and a soul to connect with. I think he’s my soulmate. I truly hope we get married and have that happily-ever-after scenario. But, for now we’re just going to college together.

Am I putting my boyfriend before my career? No. Before transferring, I made sure this college would benefit me first. I love my boyfriend, but our relationship will only remain healthy if I take care of myself and follow my own interests. Maybe some people don’t have a clear idea what career they’d like to pursue, but I have a pretty clear idea. I'm excited!

I know that I’m young. Even though we met my last year of high school and didn’t go to the same school, I like to think that we are high school sweethearts. Someone once told me that there was something so sweet and pure about a first love. I agree. The love that I feel for my boyfriend overcomes every other feeling I have about anything else. I think this could be seen as either reckless or admirable. I prefer to stand by my decisions. I want to enjoy this life and I am so happy that I can share it with someone I love so much. No matter what happens, I will never regret putting my heart first.