I started dating my boyfriend my freshman year of high school. Everyone always thought they deserved the right to tell us things weren’t going to last or that we are too young to understand what love actually is. But before we knew it I was starting my freshman year in college and our “silly” high school relationship was suddenly four years deep. We had already experienced a lot together but we were about to face our biggest challenge yet. Going from seeing someone everyday to only once every two weeks or so for a night seemed pretty impossible to get used to at first, but we made it through this year together and learned a few things along the way.
1. I learned how to make my own friends.
The fact that we started dating my first year of high school meant that we made our friends together. Going to the same high school and being involved in the same things caused us to have the same friends. We had our different friend groups but I hadn't experienced being close with people that he didn't even know. I made my own friends at school that I actually had to introduce to him, but needless to say I did a great job picking them out because they're pretty great and he thinks so too.
2. I learned how much better my day can be after a five-minute phone call.
Even on my worst days, I knew that at 3 p.m. I'd be able to hear him tell me everything was going to be okay just like he always had. I knew I'd get a text back sooner, but there was just something comforting about actually hearing him say it.
3. I learned that a good night text makes me sleep a whole lot easier.
Being so busy and living two different schedules means sometimes a whole day would slip by without even talking. It didn't matter how busy I was or he was though when it came to bed time I could never fall asleep until I got that "goodnight my angel" text back.
4. I learned how precious a 45-minute lunch date actually is.
When we could rarely find the time during the week to meet halfway, those Coney Island lunch dates made things feel like I never left. Catching up over our usual meal and seeing him smile gave me a break from my reality. Because a good laugh and a warm hug don't always come with a Facetime call.
5. I learned that things can be worked out over the phone.
Arguments were bound to happen. Things happen and feelings get hurt but it was nothing we hadn't dealt with in the past. I had to learn how to talk things out over the phone with little to no privacy but I learned how to always work things out and never go to bed upset.
6. I learned how to make plans.
Because we no longer saw each other everyday things had to be planned out. My favorite will always be to cuddle up and watch a good movie together but that could no longer happen on the spur of the moment. I learned that our time is precious and how to make the most of it by making time for time together.
7. I learned that support doesn’t have a distance.
My biggest supporter has always been and will always be this man. He never failed to wish me luck on my big exams and was the first person I always told my grade to. I can honestly say that no one is more interested and cares as much about my life as he does (except maybe my mom).
8. I learned what it felt like to be missed.
I knew those five-minute conversations meant just as much to him as they did to me. I knew that me being away from home was probably a lot harder on him than it was on me. And it felt good to know there was someone always thinking about me.
9. I learned what it felt like to truly miss someone.
Nothing can compare to a hug after so long of only hearing his voice. It's hard only being able to tell someone how things are going and to no longer be experiencing everything together. I already knew what my heart felt like happy, but I learned what it felt like to have something missing.
10. I learned that I really do know what love is.
I learned that no one knew what they were talking about when they were judging our relationship. We have been through Hell and back and we aren't done yet. This boy supports me, misses me, cares about me, and loves me, so he taught me what love is. I just learned that I am right when I say, "I love you too".
Forever and Always
Your High School Sweet Heart
