Waste Not, Want Not
By Christina Marie, age 17, Louisiana
Sweet Designs Featured Writer
It happens every day. For the most part, dating seems to be a test - like window shopping the human heart - examining their insides, picking apart their minds, and then finally saying, Well, nah, never mind. Some don't even call dating serious, although for most, before you are officially dating you get your head attached, and even looking at another person feels like the biggest form of betrayal. It's tough, dating is, but most of it is a waste of time.
Don't date just to date. Date to be serious. If it doesn't seem to be working out, terminate it. Don't hang on for no reason or stay just because they're someone to stay with. Being one of my biggest pet peeves, I have to tell you: Don't waste your relationship. Give the valuable part of you to someone who will cherish it. And I just don't mean just ladies, guys - anyone can be guilty.
When you become serious, TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. I can't stress this enough. I have watched too many people give up something that could have been wonderful just because it was too much work, just because it was intimidating. If something is good, it's not going to be easy.
I have never stayed in a relationship that I immediately realized wasn't for me. That's probably the reason why most of my earlier significant others were only significant for two weeks at the most. For a while, I even thought I was incapable of staying any longer with anyone. On August 1st, of course, my girlfriend and I take on our 17th month. Not the longest, but nearly a year and a half makes me feel pretty good.
I haven't wasted a single day. I've fought for the most even when the most seemed pretty slim.
Maturity - a relationship needs that. I could go on and on with a list of what not to do in a relationship, but no one knows because no one is the same. What I like surely may not be what you do, so telling you to play hard to get or convincing you that jealousy may be a good sign is not really my smartest idea. It's all up to personal preference.
Dating isn't just pointing through a window and saying, I'll take it. Date to find 'the one', even at a young age, because you never know when you're going to meet them. 'I married my high school sweetheart' isn't always a myth.
High school sweethearts can happen.
