People question me all the time as to why I'm in such a committed relationship, because I'm only 18 years old. Even my parents fondly refer to my boyfriend's parents as my in-laws. I have been in this relationship for three and a half years now, which is something not many people my age can say. Most teenagers are in and out of relationships within a few months. Call me old school or whatever else you want, but I believe that anything worth having deserves hard work. Being in a committed relationship these days is not easy by any means. No one said being in a long term relationship should be easy, but people now a days expect to just wake up and be happy in their relationship.
Committed relationships are not sunshine and rainbows. My boyfriend's parents joke that we're like an old married couple because we argue and bicker at each other, but at the end of the day a relationship is something special. It deserves hard work being put into it. A strong relationship requires a lot of effort, staying on top of things and constantly making an effort to make your significant other happy. But it's worth it.
My boyfriend is my best friend. Ninety-nine percent of the time he is the first person I turn to for advice and he is the first person I call when I have a bad day. After all this time, there isn't any situation that he hasn't been there for. We've been through a lot, but our struggles only make us stronger. He is always there for me, no matter what. Knowing that he has my back takes a huge weight off my shoulders, and it goes both ways. He helps me get motivated when I don't want to get out of bed in the morning for class, he celebrates my accomplishments with me, and he helps me get through my failures. Like I said, there isn't a time since we've been together that he hasn't had my back.
Some advice to those of you seeking something serious:
Instead of going out there and seeking a one night stand, take your time. The right person will come along eventually, but I encourage you not to settle for anything less than what you deserve. You deserve to be respected, treated with love and care, and supported through thick and thin. So yes, go out, have fun, but don't bring home the first guy you talk to because I can almost guarantee he isn't in it for the long run. Relationships take time to develop, but getting to know a person in the beginning stages is one of the best parts of a new relationship. So be cautious, but get out there. Put a smile on your face, and be yourself. The right one will come along when you least expect it.
