My boyfriend and I met the summer before my sophomore year of high school. Almost 16 and worrying about nothing, except how I looked on Friday night in my cheerleading uniform. Almost 5 years later and here I am in awe of the man I get to call mine. I call him a man, because that's what he was when I met him. He's 4 years older than I am - don't judge. I had never seen someone talk and act so smoothly until I met Jordan. He wasn't awkward or uncomfortable in his own skin. Something I had never seen before. The boys I had dated before were all lost and confused about their own lives. Jordan knew who he was before he met me. I thought I knew myself. Boy, I was so wrong. He guided me through my senior year, college decisions, moving out of my parents house, finals, etc. He showed me how to be a independent woman without him attached right to my hip.
During my freshman orientation at Georgetown the older students put on a skit. "Dump your high school sweetheart" was a phrase I heard more than once in those 3 days. But,I am here to advise new college students to not listen to the new faces you see. Listen to your heart. Listen to your soul. Being in love and starting a new life journey together can be much more rewarding than you might think.
1. College is not high school, and it's hard
There will be nights when you literally have no idea how you will make it through the next week. These are the nights when having the person of your dreams run into your room with a pizza will feel like opening a diamond ring.
2. College is full of unfamiliar faces
Trust me, the unfamiliarity of your new college home will get old. You'll learn that you barely know anyone. You'll see that when you get a bad grade you can't run into Mr. Lyons room to get a re-do. So trust me when i say, having a familiar face near by is such a blessing.
3. Finals week
Let me be the first to say, finals week is hell. With or without love. But, you know what makes it a little less painless? Knowing the person you have been a total jerk to for weeks now is waiting on that last final to end. That way they can finally tell you how proud they are of you. How much they love you. How glad they are to know you can finally hop off the crazy train.
4. He knows me
Having someone who knows you better than anyone in such a confusing time in your life is the greatest asset. Countless times Jordan has reminded me of who I am, where I came from, why I do what I do, and why he loves me. That keeps me in check. His presence at every college game I have ever cheered or his surprise visits with Ale 8 and gas station pizza rolls will be the memories from college I cherish the most.
5. You can "live a little" with someone at your side
I feel like so many college students see themselves as being tied down if they even think of a relationship. Bizarre. I feel less tied down now than I did when I was single. "Fun things" are much more "fun" with your favorite person at your side.
