I have been in the "dating game" (or I guess whatever you call it) since I was fifteen years old. I am now eighteen, I've started college, and I've been in three real relationships.

The first one was when I was fifteen. I was a sophomore in high school and I had just gotten to the point where boys started noticing me. It wasn't long before I caught the attention of a senior boy, and that went on for a while.

Until it didn't when summer started. The whole situation was complicated, really, so I wasn't exactly shocked when things didn't work out, although I was hurt.

The next relationship (a real one, yay!) happened about a year and a half later, after many failed attempts at dates, and boys who I just realized wanted my body-- not me. This relationship lasted about 6 months, which isn't super long in the grand picture of life.

I learned from that relationship that it wasn't okay to let someone control you. It is also okay to stand up for what you believe in. You don't have to drink or smoke or do whatever someone says you have to do to date them.

I figured out from this relationship that you do not need to be attached pr attracted to the first person that shows you attention. More times than not, it isn't going to be good for you.

That relationship ended more than a year ago, about ten months ago, I got myself involved in a new relationship. In this relationship, this guy showed me what it feels like to actually love. He gives me the attention that I need (I need A LOT), he treats me like I am his entire world, and his attitude towards me had never been negative or bad. Even arguments are civil and don't last for very long.

He has made sure that I know my worth, and he makes sure that I receive nothing less than what my value is. You don't need to conform to someone who not good to you, you don't need to deal with irresponsibleness or someone with control issues. Go have fun, hang out with your friends, find that guy who treats you like you're their everything.

I want to make sure that everyone knows that they are worth something. Whatever that maybe, you need to know your worth, and you need to make sure that you don't settle for less. Know your worth. Don't accept anything else.