Never in a million years would I have guessed that I would meet my high school sweetheart in a karate dojo (United Hapkito.) I was nine years old and he was eleven. It seems like it was so long ago that we had just met. We had always both had huge crushes on each other back then, even our karate instructor knew it. I remember one time that I was talking about another boy in front of him and he was so upset, he looked like a little puppy dog. It was the cutest thing I had ever seen! I knew how much he had liked me when he had given up his lunch at karate camp, I believe a few days in a row! From that moment on I had known that he was going to be a keeper. Being in a long term relationship at a young age is not easy but I am glad I have been able to spend it with my high school sweetheart. Here are a few things that I have learned throughout our journey.

It is not always easy and that is okay.

Through out these five years together we have been through a lot of rocky times, it has not been easy at all at time but I am glad that we have been able to make it through the rough times, one day at a time, patience and communication. Like I said, it is really not always easy but if you love someone enough you will work it out.

There is no such thing as a perfect relationship.

In the beginning it is all butterflies and cheesy "I love you"'s but a real relationship takes hard work, people make mistakes in life and some mistakes are unforgivable but if two people are able to see the big picture in life and see each other in that big picture it is easier to forgive. It takes time for wounds to heal but if you take that time to love and nurture your relationship the wounds heal and come out to be stronger than ever.

Always tell each other "I love you".

No matter how mad we are at each other we always make sure we say "I love you" or "Goodnight". You never know when it could be the last time you say it. That has always been a fear of mine, that if I forgot to say "I love you" the next thing I know he could be gone forever. Just thinking about that just makes my heart ache.

After all these years, we have become a family.

Through out these past five years we have become so close, my boyfriend is my best friend and also a part of my family. There has not been a family gathering that we haven't been to together. It is a rare occasion that we are not at a family function together. Both of our families have each accepted us into the family. I am so happy to have him as such a huge part of my life.

Happy Five Year Anniversary Will