With the first couple of weeks of the semester in the rearview mirror, it's hard to not think of the lasts. Their last first day of school, their last fall recruitment, their last tailgate. But they're not your lasts, no. You've still got a while, and that time period will be spent here without them after they graduate.
Being in a relationship with someone who is going to graduate before you has its highs and lows, maybe some more than others.
You get to be alongside them during some of the best times of their life.
Senior year is full of monumental occasions that will create memories for a lifetime. From their last homecoming as an undergrad to graduation, you'll get to be right by them the whole journey. You get to witness them achieve their greatest dreams and support them in everything. That's a big deal.
You fear getting left behind.
Unless they get a job in your college town or are going to grad school at your university, odds are they're moving away. That leaves you still here all alone without them. You'll have to go from spending every day together to not at all, all the while praying that doesn't affect your relationship severely. You hope you stay together, but you can't look too far ahead and upset yourself.
You get to watch them accomplish their dreams.
Okay, maybe not all of their dreams, but the beginning of them. You get to watch them walk across that stage, get their diploma, and set sail to take on the "real world." You love and support all that they do with your entire being, so this is a very exciting time to look forward to. You want them to accomplish all they've ever wanted and then some.
You know you're going to be alone next year.
Even though you're still here, they have to move away. That means no more sleeping right beside them, no more hanging out at their apartment every day. You'll go from being constantly near to constantly apart. It's what has to happen, but you don't have to be happy about it. You love them.
You are so, so proud of them.
It takes a lot to get through college. It's not for everyone. They've studied for hours, taken numerous tests, and put in a bunch of work to get to their senior year, let alone graduation. They earned everything they've achieved and they deserve even more. You look up to them and hope to achieve all they have and then some.
No matter what the future holds, you love them. They're going to graduate, get some "big kid job," and achieve all they've ever wanted, and you can't wait to be by their side for the ride. You just can't wait to see them cross that stage, cheer for them, and support them in all of their endeavors.
There are pros and cons to every relationship whether it's an age gap or distance. None of that matters unless you let it. Let your love be just as strong from the beginning through it all. You can't let a little graduation get in the way of how much you adore them. Support them the entire way, just as they would and will you.