Relationships: a word that some embrace and others fear. A concept that we, as college students, have just begun to wrap our heads (and hearts) around. For some, relationships and true love seem like something so far off and distant. Others laugh off the concept when really they are confused about what it really means. Although there are numerous “self-help” books, love gurus, and Cosmo articles about true love and relationships, I think the best resource can be found in people extremely close to us: our parents.
My parents have been role models to me in so many ways, and one of those ways include the definition of a committed couple in love who also happen to be best friends and each other’s support system. Other Her Campus BC girls feel the same way about their parents. Overall, our parents can teach us some of the most valuable lessons about love and relationships. Here are some of the things that HC BC team members have learned from their parents:
“My parents taught me that distance doesn’t matter if the love is strong enough. My dad went through a period when he traveled every other week for work, sometimes multiple weeks in a row. My mom always took it with a stride and a smile, but now faced with a long distance relationship myself, I realize how hard it’s got to be to be away from the person you love so often. So I guess they taught me that if the love is real, don’t let distance stop you.”
“My mom always said, ‘Marry your best friend and they will be your partner in life.'”
“My parents always taught me that it’s important to find someone who understands you and someone that you can easily talk to and compromise with. Looks will fade over time, but communication and trust will last you a lifetime!”
“As long as there is trust, no time or distance can keep true love apart. My parents, like all couples, had their ups and downs when they dated and spent time both apart and together before they married and even after. My dad moved to PA for his job while my mom was still in Boston. Despite the distance, however, the deep love and trust they had for one another united them. Part of loving another is supporting their needs and I am always amazed that they were willing to sacrifice physically being together to see the other excel professionally. To this day, my dad travels a lot with his job, but my mom knows that no matter the time and the place, they will always love each other. They are each other’s biggest supporters! The idea that love has no boundaries is exemplified through my parents”
“Marry your best friend! It is important that you and your spouse are compatible not only as romantic partners, but also as friends- are they someone who can make you laugh, who you can trust to talk to about anything, who sees you not only as a partner but a person?”
“Every Saturday night, my parents have date night. When we were younger, my brother and I stayed home with a babysitter, DCOMs, and frozen pizza, while they spent the evening together. My parents have an incredible relationship and are so in love, and these Saturday nights helped them maintain that relationship while raising my brother and me. And they still to this day have their Saturday night date nights!”
“Look at how a boy treats his mother. It is one of the best ways to see how he would treat and respect any woman. Family is important no matter what age you are and it shoud be seen from a young age.”
Instead of running to the relationships aisle in the bookstore, googling “how to stay in a relationship” or wallowing that true love doesn’t exist, look to role models who have been in our lives all along: our parents. Thanks mom and dad for teaching me that true love really does exist and showing it so clearly in the strong relationship you have for each other!
Photo Sources:
http://blogs.greenville.edu/students/files/2011/06/date-night-logo-3.jpg