1.  Love is when you can just do nothing with your partner 

There are times when we can just sit around and do absolutely nothing but be in each other's presence and we never get bored.

We don't need to be doing something every second of the day together. As long as I am with him things are good.

 2. I am enough 

He has made me feel what I never felt before: that I am enough.

He loves me as I am. Despite every single flaw I have. He never lets a day go by where he doesn't remind me that I am beautiful or smart, even when I am feeling really down about my self that day.

3. Taking time out to be alone together is essential 

We have the same group of friends and we love them dearly, but sometimes in a relationship, it is important to make time out to go to dinner or something alone.

This can be as little as us just grabbing lunch at the dining hall together, but it is times like that that help everything else slow down a bit.

4.  Compromising is important 

Through the year that I have been with my boyfriend, I have learned just how important it is to be considerate of the other person and to try and meet them halfway.

5. Taking turns doing what you both like is the key to a healthy relationship 

I like to watch movies and he likes to watch football. So we both get to do things we care about, I will watch football with him and try to understand it and in turn he will watch a movie with me.

6.  Love is not always easy 

Love is not always sunshine and butterflies.

There are times that will be rough, but as long as you have each other's backs things will be OK.

That being said, love should not feel like a job though or something that you have to always be cognizant of doing.

It should come naturally and be something that you want to work on.

7. Seeing him happy is what makes me happy 

So maybe I really don't enjoy something that he does, but I participate and engage in it because I know that he loves it.

There is nothing better and more rewarding then seeing him smile or laugh.

If he is happy, then I am willing to do what it takes to keep that smile on his face.

8. Trying new things is not always as scary as it seems

By new things, I mean mostly new foods.

I am so picky about what I eat, but for him I tried snails. Yes, snails.

Although I didn't puke like I thought I would, I would not recommend it.

Bottom line is, that he gets me out of my comfort zone and I think I do that for him too so it is a nice balance.

9. The little things do matter 

He does things for me every day, without me asking.

Whether that is just running me something because I forgot it, or surprising me by picking me up from class with a whole pizza, he always is showing me how much he cares for me.

The big things are not all that matters though. It is important to acknowledge every little thing he does because I know he does it without even thinking twice.

10. There is nothing else like knowing that someone accepts you for who you are  

Every little thing about me, whether it be my confrontational personality or my 3 day old unwashed hair, he accepts me for me and doesn't ever try and change that.

That feeling is the best in the world because I can completely be myself around him.

11. Take time out of your day or week to dance 

As cheesy as it sounds, sometimes it is just nice to be able to be held by him and sway to one of our favorite songs when I have had a stressful day.

12. He is my person 

After a year with him, I know for sure that he is everything from my best friend to my boyfriend because he is the first person I tell my good or bad news.

He is the first person I think about before I fall asleep and the first one when I wake up.

He is the only person who can make me laugh when I am mad or sad.

He makes me want to be the best that I can be.