When I say that all of my senior year of high school, I dated a guy who is Mormon, a lot of people look at me funny and say, "You? Really? Wow, how was that?" expecting some horrible story. But honestly, it was a relationship I will never forget, because it taught me so much about myself.
I learned the difference between a man and a boy.
Being so involved in his religion made him devoted. It made him caring. It made him considerate. He believed in so much more than any other guy I had ever been with, because he wanted to make the right choices not only to make himself proud, but to make his God proud. He was not afraid to cry. He was not afraid to look weak. He was not afraid to be real.
He respected women.
He was so careful with me. He treated women with so much respect, and he never once disrespected me or told me where "my place" was supposed to be.
He gave me someone to look up to.
I've always fallen for the guy that swept me off my feet. Instead of only giving me butterflies, this guy inspired me, which I think is rare to find in high school, and even college. He inspired me to be bigger than myself, make myself proud, and do the right thing, always.
He was old-fashioned.
He planned out these elaborate dates, when he barely even knew me. Even though super romantic isn't my style, he cared so much that I had a good time. He wanted me to feel comfortable, and he wanted to know everything -- my likes, dislikes, passions. He was genuinely interested, and tried so hard to make everything special.
I learned to respect other churches.
I've always been tolerant of every religious belief, but after going to church with him, I felt so much closer to him, and I understood why his church is so special to him, and why so many men and women make the sacrifice to leave their families and serve missions. The church might not be for me, but seeing that community was eye-opening, in a way that I didn't expect.
He led by example.
His church is so strong in him and he knew that by living the way his God wanted him to, he would help inspire others. He would always do the right thing so his two little brothers had a role model to look up to, and that is something that still sticks with me.
For all these reasons, I wish him well.
While we don't see eye to eye on religion, it isn't what matters most. I was able to see firsthand the way religion shaped him, and why the qualities he has, are the qualities I still look for in a guy. Exes don't have to be this taboo thing you never talk about. Some things aren't meant to be and it's totally fine. Every relationship teaches something. This taught me so much more then I ever bargained for.
