Let me begin this by saying that five years and however many months ago I never really thought we would still be here. I mean, did anyone really? The odds were not stacked in our favor, as they never are in young relationships. But here we are. The road has been long and sometimes difficult, but I would not have wanted to travel it with anyone else by my side.

Let me give everyone a little background knowledge on Kent and me. He is quiet and gentle. He never raises his voice, ever. Not even when he has every reason to. He is a lot more affectionate than I am, which is not how the relationship stereotype says it should be. He is logical and thoughtful, very much like his father. And I am quite the opposite. I am too quick to yell or be short. There was a day when I would hug everyone, but not anymore. I do not enjoy hugs, especially not in front of everyone. I am irrational and quick to act before I think about the effect.

We are two very different people; however, we have the same goal. We both want this relationship to work. Everyone says that high school sweethearts never last and I guess that the typical high school relationship does not.

But we are not your typical high school couple. And you do not have to be either.

For starters, we did not go to the same high school, which was more than fine by me. I did not need to see him after every single period. I did not need everyone talking about our latest argument or creating drama that seems to follow couples in high school. Our interactions never became trivial. They never felt routine. Every time we hung out felt like a privilege. Obviously, you cannot help if you attend(ed) the same high school, but you do control how you allow that to influence your relationship.

Furthermore, our relationship was built on trust. He never read my texts to ensure I was not talking to anyone else. I never scold him for "liking" another girl’s selfie. You know why?

Because a double tap on that girl’s selfie is not a reflection of his intentions.

However, your reaction to that double tap is a direct reflection of your intentions. Your relationship should be built on a mutual trust and respect. If it is not, then you have two options. Option A, you can just end it. I mean honestly, if two people cannot be together without controlling each other’s every like, retweet and text message then it is not healthy. Option B, knock down the walls and rebuild your foundation. If you are with someone that you really see having a future with then the foundation of your relationship needs to be built on something healthy, such as trust.

The last little tidbit I am going to leave you with is this: Screw what everyone says about being in a serious relationship in high school.

Take their criticism with a smile, then throw it out the window. No one can make your relationship work except for you and your significant other. You might be just a freshman right now and you have been dating your significant other for two weeks (no, you do not love each other yet, sorry not sorry), but that was Kent and me at one point as well. Now we’re about to be sophomores in college and we are in a great place.

I did not write the book on how to create a successful relationship. I cannot tell you how to make something that is not working magically work, but I am here to tell you that there is hope for everyone who is dating their high school sweetheart. I know everyone wants to see you fail, or at least it feels that way. But with a lot of perseverance and a lot of love, you can make it.