I'm not going to say that my relationship is perfect. That would be a lie because no relationship is perfect. In fact, the best relationships in the world involve fights, disagreements, chaos, hardships and struggle. Because a good relationship takes work. Besides, being perfect is absolutely overrated. Who wants perfection when there is so much beauty in the imperfections in the world around us? The flaws are what tells a real story. What I will say is that my relationship is exactly what I want it to be. I wouldn't change a single factor of it because if I changed one thing, then it would not be the same relationship. It wouldn't be the same dynamic and we wouldn't be the same people involved. And I couldn't ask for a better person to have by my side to take on life with. And the reason that I'm so happy with the relationship I currently have is because of a few things that make up the essence of my relationship.

1. Social Media

Do not be overcome by the need to post absolutely every detail of your relationship on a social media platform. It's not necessary or important. Cute, random posts are adorable and I'm no trying to say that your relationship should be a secret, but it doesn't need to be broadcasted all over the internet. Somethings, like dates and random gifts, can be kept between just the two of you.

2. Dates

Going on out actual dates seems to be a lost cause in our generation. I don't mean getting together with a group of friends or spending a day watching Netflix. Take a hike together. Go out to lunch. See a movie at a drive in. Head off to the beach. Go to a musuem. Go and do something together that creates some sort of a memory.

3. Fights

There's no reason to ever go to sleep angry at a person you care about. Talk things over and work things out. Fighting is going to happen and, to me, it's a sign of a real relationship. It means that you can overcome obstacles. But, you can't allow one fight to become something that takes over your life. Handle it and move on. Don't keep going back to it.

4. Compromise

A good relationship needs to have some sort of compromise in it. You have to be able to settle and play a simple game of "give and take". For example, if your boyfriend likes video games, agree to spend an hour playing his favorite game together, but in return, you get to pick where you guys get take out from that night. Or, if you want your boyfriend to spend a day shopping with you, agree to finish the day by watching the action movie he's been dying to see.

5. "Going Dutch"

Split the bill. Create some sort of equality in your relationship and do not expect your boyfriend to pay for everything. First of all, it sets the women's rights movement back several years. Third, it's just rude. He shouldn't have to worry about taking care of himself and spending excess money on you. Take turns paying or figure out a compromise that makes things fair.

6. Time Apart

If you spend every last second with the same person, you're going to get sick of them. So, take some time to spend apart. Take that time to enjoy the hobbies you like that your boyfriend doesn't. Have a girl's night and watch all the chick flicks you know he doesn't really want to watch. Just give yourself some space.

7. Distance

Dating in college means that there's going to be some period of time when you have a sizable distance between you. This is where social media being an every day part of your relationship comes in handy. Snapchat is going to become your best friend and every night will probably end with a Facetime call. Texting will be at a ridiculous amount. Don't worry so much about making the distance work. Accept that, sometimes, absence turly does make the heart grow fonder.

8. Holidays

You're college students. You don't need to worry about spending every holiday together. You aren't a married couple. You both still have your own separate families so if you can't make it work to be together on Christmas or Thanksgiving, don't freak out. It's not the end of the world and it definitely doesn't make you a bad couple. If it's a gift-baring holiday, choose a different day for just the two of you to celebrate if you really can't make it work to spend it together.

9. Honesty

Honesty is always the best policy. Being open with one another creates a trust that can't be broken. When you're consistently being honest with your significant other, there's never any room for doubt. And the trust that's built as a result is the perfect foundation for any relationship. Because there is no room for a relationship of any sort without trust.

10. Trying New Things

You have to make some type of effort to learn about the things that the person your dating cares about. If you have no idea what they're constantly babbling on about, you're going to get bored of them. This keeps the relationship healthy and ensures that you'll always have something to talk about. Ask them to explain their favorite sport to you while you watch a game together. And the next day, tell them all about one of your passions and teach them about that. It's give and take, really.

11. Tapping Into Our Childish Sides

Eat fast food. Watch a Disney marathon. Play Mario Kart and get so into it that you're entire body tilts with the controller. Run up to him and jump on his back. Sing off key in the car together. You can't be afraid to be a little bit goofy with the person you're dating. The best relationships involve some sort of fun activity that seems immature.

(Disclaimer: I am in no way claiming to be a relationship expert. I'm in my first relationship right now. These are just some things I've learned from it that seem to be making the both of us the happiest.)