Throughout the ups and downs of my relationship, there have been three major things that have kept the love between my boyfriend and I as strong as it was when we first started dating:

1. Keep God at the center of your relationship
   • I didn’t grow up in a religious family, but during my freshman year of college I joined a bible study and gave my life to the Lord that same year. I don’t consider myself religious, but I am spiritual and I have a very close relationship with God; keeping him at the center of all of my relationships. Keeping God at the center of your relationship holds both parties accountable for keeping their word and maintaining mutual respect in the relationship. Knowing you have a higher source that supports you in every endeavor and relationship you will experience, allows you to love without fear. Pray for yourself, pray for your partner, and in trying times, pray for your relationship.
2. Be best friends, first!
   • This is advice my mom gave me at the beginning of my relationship when my boyfriend and I were going through trying (and honey I mean tryinggg) times. Building a relationship without a friendship first is like building a house without a foundation: it’s unstable and unreliable. Developing a nonjudgmental and open friendship first allows both parties to fully open up to one another. Not only does it encourage a more fluid and natural relationship, but being friends before anything else also helps you and your partner develop a deeper respect for one another, because that respect goes beyond anything romantic. Even though having your own space is important, you should be able to rely on your partner to fill any position you need, whether it be a lover when your feeling romantic or a shoulder to cry on when you just need a friend.
3. Encourage growth in your partner
   • Last but certainly not least, one of the biggest aspects of a great relationship is the mutual encouragement of growth, whether it be physically, emotionally, spiritually, or success wise. Not only supporting your partner in growth, but encouraging it and including them in your own growth is a great way to keep a relationship strong. A huge issue with relationships, especially when you’re young, is that sometimes you feel like you’ve outgrown your partner. Sharing new and exciting things you learn and new challenges you take on with your partner can allow them to grow with you, and this can help you avoid the growth gap that some couples encounter.