Growing up in church, Christian kids, teenagers, and young adults are told frequently and fervently that in romantic relationships, Christ must be at the center. "Christ-centered relationship" is a phrase uttered from the pulpit, in Sunday school class, and in small group Bible study quite frequently, and it is met most often with personal reflection on relationships, subtle head nods, and occasional murmurs of agreement from the listeners. I have always been the personal reflection type, so when I would hear that Christ needed to be at the center of my relationship, I began not only to wonder if He was, but also consider what that would even look like practically.

What does it really mean to have a Christ-centered relationship? Is that going to church or Bible study together? Praying together? Talking about spiritual progression or challenges? Serving together? Knowing without a shadow of a doubt that God put the two of you together and intends for you to stay together? Planning on marriage? Remaining pure? Praying about and for the relationship independently? Reading Christian books together?