So I’ve been dating my boyfriend for the better part of a year. Though in the eyes of the rest of the world, we’re still a fairly new couple. I like to think we’re pretty serious… Serious enough to spend the summer together under one roof before my lease starts for the next school year. Think of it as a test run. Well, we’re learning A LOT about each other in the meantime, and here are some things I learned about serious dating that I never really knew before.

You will witness every bodily function your partner could expose you to. And you’ll get so used to it you won’t even acknowledge it anymore. Do you still say “ew” when your boyfriend burps at the dinner table? Just wait till you’re sharing a space together and your partner walks in to pee while you’re brushing your teeth. I mean, it could be worse… and the longer you’re with each other, the more likely it will be.

You’ll tell each other things you never even thought you would hear come out of your mouth. Your deepest secrets, your weird personal ailments, you name it. Your conversations will be eclectic, to say the least, and you’ll be lucky no one else is around to listen in on your crazy talk.

You can’t hide your habits for long. Are you secretly messy, but clean your room when you have that special someone over? Do you leave the toilet seat up but try to put it down when you have company? Do you snore, but try to make sure you fall asleep last? Well when you’re sharing a space together, there’s no hiding your true colors. And they will notice. That’s when you realize whether you’re capable of changing, or they’re capable of accepting you in any way you are.

You’ll learn to accept help. We all have this stubborn tendency to think we can do everything by ourselves. But let’s face it… we just can’t. It’s hard to swallow your pride and ask for/accept help from someone, but one of the main parts of being in a relationship is mutually being there for each other. Why not utilize that support system when you need it? Let him carry that box up the stairs. Let her help you with your homework. Let him give you advice when you’re upset, no matter how much you don’t want to talk. Relationships aren’t just aesthetically pairing people together to show off to the world, it’s a friendship, a bond, and an understanding of each other in a deep and devoted way. Treat it as such.

You learn a lot about sacrifice. There comes a point where you realize what’s important. Your mental health is important. Your family is important. Spending time with your friends is important. And your relationship is important. It’s necessary to take the time to be in tune with your better half and what they need, so sometimes you’re going to give up that night out to sit in and watch a movie with them. And to be honest, you’re eventually not going to have to sacrifice anything to do so, it’ll just be your choice.

Your idea of “fun” changes. Suddenly, you realize that the fun you have with your S.O. is different than anything else. Not that it’s better, you still have fun with your friends and family, but it’s different. It’s personal, something that feels like only the two of you could understand. You start to get enjoyment out of all the little things. Your silences are never awkward, in fact you begin to enjoy them because you get to focus on the moment.

You realize you don’t need to speak every minute you’re not together. If you’re in a serious relationship, odds are you’re with each other at some point every day. Especially if you’re sharing a space together. So when you’re away from each other or hanging out with your friends, you don’t feel the need to constantly being in meaningless conversation because you feel like you have to. It actually gives you more to talk about when you see each other later, so you never have that “I don’t know what to talk about” feeling. You check in periodically, especially if something big happens, but you learn that you don’t need constant interaction to validate your relationship.

Being in a serious relationship doesn’t mean you give up all the fun things in your life. On the contrary, relationships are meant to enhance your day-to-day. Long-term relationships only strengthen your connection and make you feel more comfortable with each other, and even with yourself. Embrace the changes that come, because that’s what helps you grow as a couple.