When I was 14 years old, I would have never imagined for one second that the boy who asked me to the 8th grade dance would be the man that I'm going into my second year of college with. After recently celebrating my five year anniversary with my boyfriend, it's outstanding to think about how much I have changed through the course of my relationship.

At the age of 14, I was shy, insecure and soft-spoken. I never really took a risk and felt undeserving of any kind of love. Now at the age of 19, I am more confident than I have ever been. I am beyond happy and excited about my life and I embrace who I am fully and unapologetically. While I owe some of this to simply growing up and maturing, I can't deny for a second that I would not be who I am without my long term relationship.

You see, for the longest time I struggled a lot with this fact. I often asked myself, "Do I really rely that heavily on my boyfriend?"

However, I've realized this simply isn't the case. My boyfriend has helped me realize the amazing person that I've been all along. His love and undying support opened up my eyes to the true beauty within myself. I began to understand that this was not a bad thing because isn't that the point in having a significant other? Having a partner in life is not just about roses and fancy dinners, it's about making each other the best you can be. That's exactly what my long term relationship has done for me.

My boyfriend has always seen the light within me even when I couldn't see it. He has pushed me to take leaps of faith and pursue the path I always dreamed of. My boyfriend and I have watched each other grow from silly kids, into even sillier adults who lift each other up beyond the stars.

My long term relationship showed me that I didn't need to have ten boyfriends to be experienced in love. It showed me how to love, respect and cherish another person fully. It showed me the value of companionship and friendship between two people and it continues to show me how bright my future can be.

Through all of my phases and stages of growing up, it's my boyfriend that has always brought me back to earth and reminded me who I am.

I am not ashamed to say that because of my long term relationship that I have learned to embrace myself wholly, work even harder and love with all of my heart. I now understand that growing into the person you're meant to be cannot be achieved alone, and I thank my silly, sweet and loving boyfriend for showing me that my quirkiness is cute, my words have meaning and who I am inside and out is more than enough.