I learned from the couple in the following story to never let somebody tell you "Oh, they're just kids," never let your age define the amount you are able to love, and don't give up on something that always seems to find a way to work itself out.

You know that couple from High School? I am not talking about the one that made out in the hallways or the one everyone always talked about. I am talking about that couple from high school that was always consistent. Consistent and with class this couple always found a way to power through. This couple was the couple that everyone was always curious about because they knew how to keep to themselves. The occasional Instagram picture that made your heart melt always had a simple caption that reminded everyone "oh yes, they're still going strong." This was the couple people really didn't want to mettle with. Already have a couple in mind? Well yeah, me too.

They were not attached at the hip. I think this was key. They still had time for their friends and they found a way to balance it all. They had lives separate from one another but they also were intertwined more than the public eye could see. Their attachment was deeper than always having to be at each other's side. Their attachment was based off of a strong belief they they'd be able to figure it out. Again, consistency. Along with all of that, limited drama, limited jealousy, and enormous amounts of love... how could they fail? They were seen as the couple that everyone wished they could understand, the one everyone wanted to be.

To this couple, thank you. Thank you for teaching me and showing me a young love like yours can fully function. You provided a means of understanding to those that wanted to be the "it" couple. You showed them that they shouldn't act like their relationship was the biggest deal if they wanted to be a success. You kept most of your problems behind clothes doors and worked through them together. Your relationship was yours and nobody else's, I always admired that.

In high school, I would say I ran into a few of your discreet and intimate moments.

I saw a smile and a kiss on the cheek-- a reminder to the other that you love them gently and kindly.

I saw a wink form across the lunch room table-- a reminder to each other that though you were sitting apart you are always together.

You both were always discreet but with constant reminders that you really did love each other. Everyone knew it, even in times you decided to spend apart. Yes you had a few road bumps, and coming from a small town most of us knew about the big ones... but every one has road bumps. You are an extraordinary version of young love, and high school sweethearts. You moved past your obstacles first as kids, then as teenagers, and finally as adults. Making it all work long distance now is not only impressive but it is inspiring. You proved most statistics wrong and proved to the world that you could do it, kudos.

To Chad and Kassie,

You both are my favorite love story and give many a reason to believe in young love. Kassie, you are the beautiful young lady in this story and I have known you since kindergarten. Always as a best friend I have witnessed you grow from a young little squirt playing beside me in the sand box to a wonderfully successful, well poised, and absolutely extraordinary individual. Chad, thank you for allowing her to blossom into an amazing version of herself, you two truly do complement one another. I admire that, I admire the two of you, and I admire your love.

xoxo,

Andrea