I have never been one about dating long distance. I went into my senior year of high school telling myself I would not allowed myself to find someone knowing I would be going to school in a state, being two and a half hours away from my home town. However, life does not always go as planned. And for me, it went actually the total opposite.

I found "my person" during my second semester of senior year and enjoyed the time him and I had together as we finished senior year, graduated high school together, and our last summer before college. But, we both knew what August would mean. We would go off to two completely different schools two hours away from one another. And of course, I held it together most of our final time together (and before saying goodbye, I bawled my eyes out for about 30 minutes, because it happens, lol).

I had this preconceived idea that everyone had told me for months before I left for college on how his and I's relationship would change. Although I knew everyone loved the idea of him and I being together, it was hard when it felt like some of my closest friends felt against the idea of him and I trying to make it work. However, everything I was ever told and convinced that would happen both did and didn't. Like I expected, at times, it got really hard. It'd be hard to be out with new college friends, them having their own date and mine being two hours away. I knew I could just call him and we would just go back into how we always were, but it was still nothing like being with him. It would be hard to not let those ideas of how much easier it would be if we were together to slip into our minds. But also, we got lucky. It was only two hours and some of my favorite moments are when he comes to surprise me at school! We did have our ups and downs, especially with going to see one another, but it all happened for a reason and I now know to always appreciate the time him and I have to spend together!

Like I said earlier, things don't always go how we want them to, but I am so happy him and I have gone through a long distance relationship together. It really changes your relationship and grows you both in a way that couldn't of happened if you were a couple feet away from one another. Of course, I will always wish that him and I went to the same school at times, but I am also so happy that he gets to go to school where he wants and I get to go where I want and we can still be just as in love with each other as the couple at the same school as one another.

We knew before we started dating we would be separated the next year, but I'm glad we decided to go against the people that said "we can't" or "it's just not going to work" because it is and I couldn't be happier with him and I's decision to stay together. I have seen SO many couples break it off right before going to college and I knew that I never wanted that to be me or my relationship. He truly is my rock and I knew in my heart that I would not be willing to give up this relationship just for some distance. Him and I are now almost to our one year anniversary of dating and I can't wait to celebrate this whole year and also, what's to come for him and I whether we are 130 miles apart or 0 miles.