As I approach my senior year of college I have a lot of big life decisions to make.

It's definitely been difficult since I have to take into consideration my boyfriend and I's future, but that's OK.

Some of my friends are single and want to focus on making a career for themselves and I have even met younger people who have built up their career in the past few years and that is their priority. I believe that is perfectly OK if you choose to make your career a priority but at this point in my life, that is not personally for me.

I've been dating my boyfriend for nearly 3 years and we are planning to continue to the next chapter in our relationship. Our plan is to get an apartment once we graduate and to possibly even get a dog. As amazing as that sounds, we still have a lot of decisions to make such as where to live, where to find our first jobs, etc. It can make it difficult to consider both person's want or needs and one can simply say they want to just focus on themselves and their career, but that is something I don't want to do.

Both my boyfriend and I want to amazing careers for ourselves but we know that we both can't get exactly what we want. We will have to make sacrifices sometimes, but that is OK.

I would rather have to make some big decisions with my best friend rather than alone. I am one who loves to talk through my options and decisions with others and although single people have friends and family to make decisions it's not the same. When going over decisions with a significant other you can have a conversation that goes so much deeper. They will be honest with you, but also bring other perspectives or ideas to the table that you haven't thought of. They know you best and will help you to make a decision that will be best for not only you but the relationship.

Another reason why I view my relationship as important as my career is that, at the end of the day, I will have a support system and (future) family of my own to go home to. I'm one who needs to release any stress, frustration or exhaustion from work. Yes, I could go to the gym or go cuddle with my dogs, but I find more peace and happiness when I'm with my boyfriend.

Ever since being with him I can see how he's played a part in me bettering my life. Being with him just releases any stresses I have and it helps me to leave it in the past. Ever since we've dated I felt less stressed and it has immensely helped my productivity and positive attitude to improve.

No matter how much I want to build up a career I love, I want to be able to look back on life and think "wow. I created that amazing life for myself." I want a life where I form my own loving family and can create amazing memories. I want to work hard while having fun. I don't want to just live, but build a life.

Therefore, my relationship is just as important as my career.