Since I started dating my boyfriend over three and a half years ago, I have been told to not spend too much time with him. Don't include him in important decisions. Don't let him double as my best friend. As I have matured, I have to come to realize that while I value people's opinions, they do not decide how much time I should spend with my boyfriend. Because honestly, he is my best friend... and that is okay.

Having someone to turn to no matter what the deal is has a feeling like no other.

My best friends have always had my back for whenever I needed it. But it is different with him. It takes me a long time to trust people. And it took even longer for me to completely trust my boyfriend. But now that I do, there is no comparison. When I have a bad day at school and am missing home or just feel like being around someone, he is the first person I call. Yes, may get on each other's nerves, but at the end of the day, it is him that I fall asleep thinking about.

Life is easier.

Don't get me wrong. Dating is fun. The flirting, the chase, all of the new feelings. But it gets old. And why would I want to "fish the sea" when I know I am with someone I trust and can be myself around. And a lot of people cannot handle being around me for that long anyways (haha). And why would I worry about having to get all dressed up and put makeup to see my friends on a night out when I can have a lazy day not caring about what I wear because I know he thinks I'm beautiful anyways.

Change can be scary, but him being constant in my life helps.

Even as a junior in college, I still get anxiety when moving away from home when going back to school. I have gained many new friends that I love and have experienced things I will remember forever. But my boyfriend is always there. Through the excitement of going to my first college event or staying up late talking to me because I am feeling homesick. Either way, he supports me in everything I do in a way that nobody else could (besides my parents of course).

Despite being told that you spend too much time with someone, I am here to say that you should not listen to them. Three years is a short amount of time but I have learned that dating my best friend has made me a better person and I couldn't imagine my life without him.