For many of us, the true goal in life is to find true love and happiness. We're all on the search for the perfect significant other who treats us the way we deserve. The only problem with finding this person is, well, finding the person. We all have small, seemingly unreachable crushes, but who says this crush can't become "the one?"

As a child, I grew up reading about princesses. The prince would always go out of his way to please her. I thought that's how love worked. It's not. Love is more than black and white scenarios, it's complex, stressful, and oh-so rewarding. It takes two people who are both willing to put in 100% for each other.

Ladies, I know we all have this fantasy of a man of extreme chivalry. But let's be real here, that's a ridiculous expectation that just can't be reached in a healthy relationship. We live in a time where we have a voice that is respected. We as a generation need to take charge of our love lives. Let us quite this stupid "hard-to-get" chase and stand up for what we want. Ladies, we shouldn't be afraid or nervous to tell a guy we think they're attractive or that we would like to go on a date with them. Stop waiting for the perfect guy to ask you out and go up to him! And ladies, if you have a man, treat him sometimes. Offer to pay for a date or split the check. It's not hard to show him you care.

Okay, now guys, this isn't letting you off the hook. The same goes for you; when you have feelings for or find a girl attractive, tell her. Even if it's a small compliment, you'll make her day or even her week at that. Don't make the statement, "Chivalry is dead," true. Being a gentleman is something to strive for and should be a goal for any true man. And men, it's still important for you to treat your girl and make her feel special.

So, ladies and gentlemen, we as a generation need to understand that real relationships take work from both sides. It takes two people to start something worth fighting for. Go after what you want. This isn't just a reminder for those of you out there struggling with relationships whether you're in one or not, this is also a reminder to myself to be, dare I say it, ballsy.