It has come to my attention, as confused as I am by it all, that relationships by society's standards are defined by how fancy your dates are.

If he takes you out, he loves you. If you eat takeout in your sweatpants, he couldn't care less. Is that how this goes?

You realize how ridiculous this sounds, right?

When my boyfriend and I were first beginning our relationship, we, of course, went on dinner dates and had a few drinks. He indulged me and treated me like a princess. That's fine, and I love that on occasion, but let me be the first to say that I'd much rather have us in pajamas eating pizza at 2 AM. I don't need the fancy dates to know he loves me - that is no indication of how we feel for each other.

Now, that's not to say that I don't enjoy the grand gestures he does for me. Slow dancing in his kitchen, buying my morning coffee, or taking me out to dinner is so special.

But I don't need it.

I know he loves me without all that, and I enjoy the simple things we do when we spend time together. From watching The Office to laughing about the day's events and everything in between.

It's not a crime to enjoy both simplicity and grandeur.

It doesn't mean my boyfriend doesn't love me or care for me when we stay in PJs and stuff our faces.

We aren't being "extra" when we go out to dinner or slow dance in his kitchen.

We are simply being us, building a relationship on what we think it should be.

That's enough for me, and it always will be.