During this week, relationships have been a really big topic. We've been talking about past significant others, almost loves, and current ones. And while listening to my coworkers' experiences, I can't help but think how lucky I am to have found my love at such a young age. Even though people think it is weird that I didn't really experience much of the dating game... I feel like I don't need to deal with the dating game. With the things I have heard and seen, I am so grateful that I didn't go through this.

My boyfriend and I started dating when we were 16 and 17 years old. Even though I had crushes and interests before him, he was my first and only boyfriend, and I am perfectly fine with that. The idea having to go around and date other people to find someone you're most compatible with kind of freaks me out. Why should I have to do that if I have found my person and I know what we have is real?

But, a lot of people tell me that I should still go out and try to meet other people because I don't know what I am "missing". I really hate it when they tell me that - I can't "miss" something I never had. I love the fact that my boyfriend and I have grown together. From being teenagers to adults, it hasn't been easy. We obviously have had ups and downs in our relationship, and there was a time when we didn't know how to grow together as a couple. But luckily we figured it out, because that is what a relationship is and about - growing as a couple and keeping our relationship as a whole. And yes, even though we grew up together, we are still able to grow as individuals.

Another thing people tell me is that I should find someone who is like me. Even though my boyfriend and I may seem so different, we actually are not. We have a few similarities that we share. People think we are so different because he's not very talkative and out there and I love to gab and mingle with people. But there are times that the roles are switched and I am the timid one, and I like the fact that he isn't just like me. Do you know how boring our relationship would be if we were exactly the same? I love him because he is himself and he loves me because I am myself.

Also, I just feel like dating is not for me. There is so much expected from a person when they go on dates with different people. I feel like you can never be your authentic self. Luckily I found my boyfriend and I can be as real as I can get. I know a lot of people who love to go out on dates with different people, and that is great for them! But it is just not for me. I feel like every time I am with my boyfriend, I learn something new about him.

All I can say is that I am forever grateful that I have found my soulmate at a young age. There is no one else I would rather go on dates with.