Dear high school relationship,
I have no regrets.
I was only 13 years old. It was the summer after eighth grade and the boy down the road made himself familiar to me via Skype and text messaging (romantic, I know). Fast forward to today, and that boy is 19, in college, and still my boyfriend.
I was just beginning my first year in high school and you were diving into your second. We were spending almost every day together, and one day, a knock at the door and a note attached to a bouquet of flowers earned you a homecoming date. September 22, 2012, you twirled me around our high school's awful cafeteria floor and asked me to officially be your girlfriend. The tulle in my dress was still settling, some song from that weeks top 40 was playing, kids were still smiling at how you playfully danced with me, and I couldn't have been happier as I nodded in agreement.
Our first date began and ended in the back seat of one of our parent's cars as we were chauffeured about the town. We went to countless movies, bowled hundreds of strikes (well, you did at least), and I can't even tell you how much money the Chili's establishment has made off of us. To be fair, they're still profiting. Some things change in four years, but not everything.
Our flirty teenage relationship quickly evolved into something far more serious. Sometimes I think "serious" carries a negative connotation when it comes to young people and dating, but let me clarify. Serious as in being my shoulder to cry on when I was overtaken by a panic attack. Serious as in being the hand to hold in a church pew at a family member's funeral. Serious as in being mature enough to walk away and calm down instead of screaming angrily during an argument. Serious as in taking the time to genuinely compliment and admire each other for what we are. Serious as in being loyal and respectful of one another's boundaries. Serious as in four years of nothing but love.
When you start dating in high school, everyone makes sure to tell you not to get distracted by them. You can hang out, but not that often. Focus on school. Keep your grades in check. Don't stay up too late talking to them. Spend more time with your friends. Don't let them control you. It makes sense, their concerns... We don't want our youth heartbroken and derailed all because of "some boy" or "some girl." But what if the boy who sits next to you in math isn't just anybody? High school sweethearts may be far and few between, but by no means are they nonexistent.
Parents and older relatives aren't the only sources of criticism either. Your friends will be unsupportive, jealous, and a little spiteful sometimes too. They'll be irritated you didn't hit up what's his face's party Saturday night because you already had plans. They'll roll their eyes when you tell yet another story about your boyfriend with a grin on your face, and when high school dances roll around, they'll be envious of your already obtained date. But you know what? I have no regrets.
When you asked me to be your girlfriend, I had no idea everything I really was saying yes to. Our relationship has blessed my life in so many ways. I still experienced high school; it isn't as if I dropped everything and let my whole entire world revolve around a 15-year-old boy, but let me explain why this relationship brought more to the table than it ever took away. I walked across a stage to soon be crowned our community's newest pageant queen and I had you in the crowd cheering me on. I began working at a local restaurant before I could even drive, so you took me to work whenever you could. I had the opportunity to be a marketing intern for an Illinois fashion designer and you asked me every day how it was going. I pushed myself to take on enriched and dual credit courses, and you understood when our date nights turned into me writing an essay or studying flash cards instead. I started a YouTube channel and you would send me screenshots reminding me of how much it has grown when I was feeling discouraged. When I was accepted into college and every time I received a scholarship, I could count on you to congratulate my hard work. My high school experience was no less than anyone else's and it was even better-having someone to love and encourage me along the way.
Some people will think I missed opportunities by committing to someone so young, but I would argue they missed even more. I didn't "settle." I wasn't a young girl infatuated with the quarterback who used me and blew me off while I just couldn't get a grip. I was a 13-year-old girl lucky enough to find the boy who is going to love me as long as I live. I am completely unapologetic for my young romance.
With love and zero apologies,
Your girlfriend.
