Valentine’s Day, the day of love, with colors of red, pink, and hearts littered everywhere. Boxes of chocolate and roses in every store, ready to be gifted to someone special. Everyone wants to find their perfect match. This raises the question: Once you find that special someone, how do you keep that relationship healthy and long-lasting?
Communication is an essential part of any healthy relationship. Trying to guess how the other person feels all the time is stressful and unpredictable. Telling one another how you feel can help you work through problems instead of letting them linger.
Junior Mala Livingearth has been in a relationship with Santiago Tierney for 3 years. “We always end up talking and not dwelling on it,” Livingearth said. “Not saying mad overnight. We always try to get it out of the way. Immediately.”
Trusting your partner is crucial. You need to feel confident in each other and be secure. Being honest and vulnerable with one another can help build trust. Consenting to one another is also important in all aspects of your relationship
Disagreements are normal in relationships. Not every opinion you have will be the same as your partner’s. Being respectful in a conflict can benefit the relationship. Taking a step away from each other can help you reflect.
Beyond communication and respect, caring for each other and knowing that you love each other will strengthen your relationship. Showing love doesn’t always have to be expensive or big. Paying attention to what your partner says can make your partner feel seen and valued.
“Little things are the most important in our relationship,” senior Sofia Flores said. “Like, even giving them a water bottle because you know they won’t drink enough water. My boyfriend did that [for me] every day.”
Keeping other relationships and interests is also vital, like spending time with friends and family. You also want to have time for yourself in a relationship. Spending too much time with your partner, you may find yourself codependent. Codependency is when one person centers their life around their partner and sacrifices their own hobbies and interests.
“You tend to want to mold yourself into what the other person wants you to be. They like video games, I like video games. But in the long run, you really like books,” Attendence secretary Amanda Willfong said.
Willfong has experienced ups and downs in previous relationships during high school, a difficult time for her, as it is for many of us. Dating can be difficult in high school, but Willfong was able to find her lifelong partner at 18, whom she’s been married to for 14 years.
“Be safe. And just be yourself. Once you are, you feel free and confident because you know I’ve got this,” Willfong advises.
