I just want to start by saying you're not stupid and naive, and you're not being held back just because people say you are. I also want to tell you, everything will be OK.

You and your boyfriend have listened to countless people tell you these things while also questioning why you would do that to yourself.

They told you to keep your options open, but to you, that would mean leaving your best friend.

They asked if you felt like you HAD to stay in the relationship but you knew you WANTED to and that it's the healthiest friendship/relationship you have ever had.

They made comments about the distance and how it would be so hard but you thought to yourself it's not that far.

If you are like my boyfriend and I, you probably let these things get to you at some point, resulting in a hard conversation and a real look at what your relationship truly was.

The fact that you got past that should show you something. If you can deal with a conflict like that in a healthy way, you can handle a lot more than people thought you could.

In a year, your relationship will be 10 times stronger than you ever thought it would be because of your ability to get through hard times together.

If you want to be together and are willing to work for it all things will come into place. If not, you will make it through. But at the very least do not let others say things to you about your relationship that you know is not true.

Have an amazing year and relationship despite the difficulties. A little distance will not kill you, and other peoples judgments definitely do not control you.