College is all about new beginnings. You meet new people, make mistakes, and learn what your likes and dislikes are. Many students are looking to find “the one” during these four years. With this comes failed dates and a lot of talking phases. But what do you do if you’ve already found “the one” in high school? With friends pressuring you into being single in college, you can feel like you’re a bit of a bore — which is simply not true! Being in a long-term committed relationship can be just as fun (if not more fun) than the single life.
To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of four ways to keep your relationship with your high school sweetheart fresh and interesting (tried and tested by me and my S/O of three years)!
- Plan small surprise dates
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I was never a fan of surprise dates because I’m a serial planner. My boyfriend is the complete opposite and loves adventure. I’ve learned to embrace this, and since then I have experienced the best moments with him! These dates don’t have to be complicated or expensive. You can take your partner to their favorite park for a walk and a picnic, or cook them their favorite meal! In the end, these surprise dates show your partner that you’re really paying attention to them.
- Teach them something new
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Learning new skills and hobbies can be difficult but so gratifying! Are you into painting? Teach your love some simple skills so you can gift your art to each other. Are you in love with a gamer (like me)? Ask them to teach you how to play one of their favorite games. It might become your favorite, too! Always go into learning something new with an open mind and ask questions. You’ll be able to connect with each other on a deeper level!
- Keep your S/O on your mind
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Life gets busy and we can forget to keep the romance alive. Big gestures are great, but it’s how you show up in your day-to-day that defines the relationship. You can show small acts of love in many ways. Maybe this means sending them memes that remind you of them, buying them their favorite candy from the grocery store, or simply sending them an “I love you” text. It’s the little things in life that add up!
- Don’t be afraid to show a little PDA
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DISCLAIMER: I know that some people are uncomfortable showing PDA. That’s more than okay. If that’s you, skip this step!
If you’re like me and my boyfriend, we never shy away from a kiss or a hug in public. Now, during COVID-19, we share kisses through our masks! It lets us have a moment of emotional and physical intimacy during this scary time. We can get used to hanging out with the same person and forget to show them our love. This is a reminder to show some PDA by holding hands or giving your person a big kiss on the cheek! You can do this while waiting in line for food or walking around a shopping plaza. I wouldn’t recommend doing this in a professional setting, but everything else is fair game. Don’t be afraid to show the world who you love!
Keeping the spark alive when you’ve been with someone since high school can be tough. With these four steps, you’ll be on your way to a new chapter of your relationship! Finding what works for you and your partner is critical for a long-lasting relationship. Try adding some elements of surprise here and there, and never stop thinking of them. It’s all about the details!