So I've been dating the same guy since sophomore year and I am so lucky that he is not only my boyfriend but my best friend. Throughout high school things were great and I saw him very often and spent most of my sports free weekends with him. Junior year came and the school tours began with most of them being out of town for me. I looked at Alabama, Auburn, UAB, and even considered staying home and attending UAH. After lots of thought I decided to attend UAB in Birmingham. Birmingham is only about an hour and a half from Huntsville so I loved the fact I was away from home but not too far because I love my parents and they are two of the best friends I've ever had. Once I started telling people I was going to Birmingham everyone was excited but somewhere in the conversation came the inevitable question: "So are you and Brian going to date while going to different colleges?"
To me, that question just seemed silly. Of course we were going to stay together! We had been dating two and a half years and there was no reason to throw that away when there was no issue. I thought that if both of us wanted it to work, it would.
Even though this was how I thought, a lot of people don't. People now see college as a place to meet lots of guys and eventually find one worth marrying. You go home for the holidays and all of the family is asking if you've met any guys. Although there really should be no rush and God will place the right guy in your life when he sees fit whether that's before, during, or after college. I know it's so easy to get caught up when a guy shows interest in you but that doesn't mean that you should lower your standards at the first sight of a cute guy that says hey. I really started to see that even though moms advice seemed annoying in high school, it would really come in handy in college. So ladies just a few things to remember:
1.) He should open the door for you: I don't care how long it's been the guy should open the car door, restaurant door, etc. He should open it not only for you but other ladies also.
2.) He should compliment you: The guy you're with is supposed to build you up, not tear you down. Yeah, maybe you did gain the freshman fifteen but he is supposed to tell you how beautiful you are not that you've put on a little weight.
3.) He should go out of his way for you: If you need something whether it's advice or a favor, he's supposed to be there for you. Especially those late nights at the library when you need chocolate. :)
4.) He should respect you: He should respect you with his words and his actions and never should a guy make you feel threatened.
5.) He should take you out every now and then: You may not be able to all the time because let's face it, movies and dinner is expensive but every now and then it's a nice way to spend an evening together. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant.
6.) He should protect you: One day, that guy will be the man of the home and he has to be able to take care of you and your family.
7.) He should challenge you: He is supposed to make you a better person and vise verse so challenge each other and hold one another accountable.
8.) He should pray for you: Prayer is powerful and he should want to know what you need in prayer and that goes for both genders.
9.) He should support you: No matter how many times you change your major or future plans he should support you every step of the way.
10.) He should know your girl friends are still important too: Yes, relationships are wonderful but those girls have been there since day one and will be there no matter the outcome of the relationship.
11.) He should have the right intentions: You date to marry. If you can't see yourself marrying them then just let it go.
12.) He should treat his parents with respect: Watch how a guy treats his mom because that's how he will treat you.
13.) He should match up his actions with his word: Yeah, I know he says he loves you but does he show he loves you?
Now, I'm not trying to say by any means that I have a perfect relationship or am some relationship genius because me and my boyfriend bicker just like everyone else and I'm not saying that the guy has to be perfect because no one is, not even you. But there's no reason that now a days in college it's an achievement if a guy has brought home more girls in a week than his roommate. So what happened to the old fashioned dating? I promise there are great guys out there and chivalry does exist. And just remember, God is working on your future husband so let Him work. And in the meantime go ahead and plan your dream wedding on Pinterest because it's fun and that's what girls can do. :)
