Dating in the church has its perks. Since I was 15 years old and I entered the all too cliche realm of high school dating, I promised myself that I would, from that age forward, only date church boys. I was taught all throughout my youth group days that dating for fun was pointless, because in reality, you either get married or you break up. Being 15 years old and absolutely sold out for Jesus, I was determined to hunt down the bright and shiny husband that God had picked out for me as soon as I walked through the church doors each week. However, I was stepping into a world that young teens everywhere are so vastly unprepared for: The best and worst experience ever—dating in the church.

If you're active in your church ministry like I have always been—attending youth group, bible studies, church on Sundays, volunteer opportunities, snow camp, etc.—the chances are, people know who you are. Regardless of the size of your church, every congregation has those people whose faces you just know. And once you start dating someone else in the church, you better believe that the entire congregation will burst into flames as soon as the news gets out. So without further ado, here are five things that Christian couples know all too well.

1. Leave room for Jesus!

This one gets old real, real fast. Maybe you're sitting in church and your best friend sees you and your little lady sneak a scandalous pinkie clasp, thus creating a reaction in her that causes her to breathe the ever-dreaded words down your neck. You might be playing train wreck at youth group and wind up in the chair next to your man (of God), and a leader barks the infamous phrase into your ears. Whatever the case may be, you've heard this one a lot. But let's face it: When you've been together for two years and start to see other little freshman engaging in a side hug, chances are you'll get up in their faces to remind them to leave room for Jesus as well.

2. Did he ask your dad for permission?

This is a great one because it might not be something that you and your bae have personally determined necessary, but you've probably been asked this question in one form or another. In the church, it's a well known tradition that all of the respectable young men ask the permission of their lady friend's dad if he may have the honor of her courtship, dating, relationship, or what have you. If the mister man in the relationship did muster up the courage to ask permission, it was probably a big step for him and he had to really humble himself to stand in the presence of the almighty father figure of his lady's life. Of course, there's always the chance that dad decided to pull the "No, you're only 16" card. In that case, good luck "secretly" dating and keeping it from the entire congregation.

3. The leaders always know.

In connection to the "secret" dating thing, there are few ways that you can attempt to keep your relationship a secret—temporarily. My good friend and I once went a whole month secretly dating by convincing our friends and leaders that we were cousins, so that when they saw us hanging out together, they had no suspicions. It was foolproof until the leaders began to catch on and we had to reveal that we weren't in fact creepy and related. Whether you think you're being super sneaky or not, we leaders can tell. Try harder. Or don't. Either way, the leaders know.

4. The wedding planner friend.

OK, I admit for most of my friends in Christian couples, I am that friend. But regardless of whether you've been that friend or not, we all know who that friend is. As soon as you and your bae become public within the church, one of your happy little friends is bound to hear the wedding bells and start fantasizing about what it will be like when she's the maid of honor in five years. While we Christians date with the intent of finding a suitable life partner, let's remember that when we're in high school, we still have to do a lot of figuring out of ourselves before we can even begin to figure out someone else—or marry them.

5. The equally yolked talk AKA bae better pray.

We all know this one for sure. How many times has your youth pastor preached a message about the importance of being on the same spiritual level as your bae? This one is actually really important. While you might hear this message and watch it literally fly into one ear and out of the other, take a second to jot this one down next time it comes up in a sermon. In high school, everyone is influenced by the people they hang out with the most. This is a known fact. So if you love Jesus and you want to go all in for him in your life, shouldn't your significant other want that, too? In case you're stuck here, the answer is frick yeah! Missionary dating never works. Save yourself the heartbreak now, and understand for yourself that if he or she is not saved, he or she needs to fall in love with Jesus before they can fall in love with you.