When you are in a relationship in high school, there is a lot of unnecessary pressure. Pressure from your parents and other adults because they think that your relationship is going to fail. They say things like “statistics don’t lie, high school relationships never work out” or “those parents that are high school sweethearts are a one in a million.”

So being in a relationship in high school is kind of like traveling with no specific destination. You keep moving and you stay together, but sometimes it feels like there is no end in sight. You are unsure of the future after high school but you have so many other plans to make for the future that relationship plans get placed on the back burner.

When the topic of post-graduation comes up in a relationship, there are so many questions. What are you doing after high school? Are you staying home or going to school? If you are going to school, where are you going? If you are going there, should I come with you? Are we going to stay together?

All of these questions and more start to circle your brain because you don’t want to have to face the really hard decision: stay together or break up. On the surface, it seems like an easy decision, but trust me there is so much more involved.

I’ve noticed recently that couples have romanticized the idea of the “breakup date.” They decide that they are going to break up, but they won’t actually break up until the day before either of them leaves for school. So, they go out and make the most of their last days together. Then, on the day that they pre-set, they have one last kiss and try to say goodbye to each other.

We all know that breakups aren’t that easy. Most of the couples that I have known to make a “breakup date,” have gotten back together within three months of leaving for school.

Why does the “breakup date” even exist and why is there any fear, at all, about making decisions for your relationship after graduation? I can only guess that people are too afraid of long distance and working hard to keep their relationship together.

If it isn’t that, they may be afraid of going out and living their life for themselves because they want to make sure that their relationship works out. So, more often than not couples follow each other to school. I cannot stress enough why that is an awful idea. One of the main reasons is because there is a good chance that whoever followed the other there isn’t meant to be at that school. Going to a school that you like is almost as important as studying something that you like.

Anyway, I can happily tell you that it is okay to stay together after high school. Yes, it is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, and, yes, I miss my boyfriend so much. However, there are so many benefits to staying together.

Your significant other is your rock. You can complain to them when you are having roommate drama or you are having a difficult time with a professor. They are a third, unbiased party that you can ask for advice from. Sure, these things can be found in a friend, not just in a romantic relationship, but let me tell you there is nothing better than coming home to your significant other. Distance really does make the heart grow fonder.

It’s true that long distance isn’t for everyone and not every person is mature enough to stay together after high school, but don’t be afraid to try. All relationships take work, so don’t be afraid to give it your all. After all, if you love this person, isn’t all the work worth it?