Let me start this off by saying high school relationships aren't easy. They're actually pretty awful. These young relationships come with social stress, rumors, awkwardness and unneeded drama. So, now the question might be then, why stay? Why put yourself through pointless stress if it can be avoided.
It's understood that not most relationships can escape high school and trudge through the stress-filled valley that is college. Many may even believe it's naive to think a relationship could last. Others fire the questions about hindering of uniqueness and lack of new experiences at many high school sweethearts. I've received an endless amount of judgement when I tell people I've stayed with my high school sweetheart through graduation, transferring colleges, and not knowing what the future may hold. Throughout these stressful times we weren't codependent, we didn't share the same experiences, and we didn't rely on the other for happiness; we simply encouraged each other to do what was best. He pursued track and field in college while I ventured to the "little apple" in search of making a new home in a sorority, and to find leadership on a division one college campus. It was never second guessed where we wanted to be in 10 years -- and not having to worry about your love life in college is nothing short of a blessing.
So, let me put it into perspective. Imagine a world with no dating websites, Tinder hookups, or one night stands. Imagine a world where you're not being scared of your significant other looking through old picture books because he lived those awkward moments with you. Imagine a world where we were able to fall in love without truly knowing the stress of a career, bills or insurance payments. Imagine a world where every step of the way, high school, college, adulthood and beyond, the love of your life was there to help endure the hardest times and know how to best handle your reactions to these situations.
What's the downfall of maturing, loving and supporting someone you've loved through their toughest times and coming out on the other end stronger? In a fantasy world I would claim it would be nothing short of perfection. We bicker, probably too much. We've gone through what felt like hell and back to get to a consistent place in our relationship. But each step has been beautiful in its own way.
My high school sweetheart was the class clown, he was the guy with the big heart, and he was the student that drove the teachers crazy but they never could stay mad. He was the goofball. He was my goofball and at a time where I was most self-conscious and scared for the future he held my hand through the hallways and loved my family like they were his own.
Together, we've shared the happiest of times, but many times that have brought us down to our knees. In these times, though we didn't handle all aspects perfectly, the loyalty was never thrown to the wind. Regardless of the situation I was on his side, and he was on mine. It has not been the easiest of choices, but in my life it is one of my proudest endeavors. At what ever stage in life you find the person you're meant to be with you will know, so please don't give up. I'm a firm believer that life is meant to be shared, enjoyed, and passionately lived. So if you are one of the few that has worked through the kinks and ultimately came out stronger, this is a pretty big deal. This is something most people don't find after an entire lifetime of searching. If you've been able to keep the same heart you loved as an immature teenager, take time to thank them.
There are no words to show my appreciation for the compassion and acceptance you've shown me over the years. I've never loved every ounce of one's self as much as my heart has loved you (good and bad). Without having history and similar experiences love is hard to hold onto. Staying with your high school sweetheart is a best friend through all the different stages in life -- it's things you'd never tell your parents in a million years, it's the safety knowing they're one of the few people in the world who knows the little things like that you need ice in your orange juice or it's just not the same.
To my high school sweetheart, I hope I will be half the partner you've been to me over the years as our journey continues. You've lifted me up on the saddest of days, wiped my tears when I didn't get the position I wanted and cheered me on during my proudest moments. You were there through it all and now, knowing the struggles we've already been through half a decade into this life together there's no doubt in my mind starting young and growing together is the best way to create a beautiful relationship. I don't know what made you pick me, but each day I have you is another one in the "thankful" book.
As Ben Rector would say, "you don't find peace until you love somebody else." I will never understand how I was fortunate enough to find you when my braces were a thing, I didn't exactly know how to dress myself and I was obnoxiously awkward. Maybe I needed someone to help me through the unthinkable. All I know is that I lucked out enough to find my peace in life at an extensively young age.
