Sap-Attack

Photograph by Hannah Schultz

A lot of the things in my room were given to me by someone. That someone is my boyfriend. This post is going to be much more personal than any of my previous. Personal things in my life + personal writing = über-extra-dextra-personal post. That's what people like, right? So here it goes: I have been dating my boyfriend for two and a half years now (awww). And I must admit, I have Facebook to thank for it. There! I admitted it! Facebook gave me my relationship! Does that make me an online dater...? 

8th grade Hannah

Let's not answer that question. I have known Alex since I was about twelve-years-old. We grew up in different towns in Washington, and he was one of my brothers tennis rivals from our summer tournaments. We are, undoubtedly, the Romeo and Juliet of our generation. I must be honest, our interaction during those younger years was...limited. You see, Alex is about three and a half years older than me. So when I was twelve, he was fifteen going on sixteen. That age gap, at that time, was significant. While I pined after him, he saw me as a little girl. But do not fret. There is clearly a happy ending to this, since I somehow managed to woo him. 


Alex was a senior in college by the time I was a freshman. The summer before I went to Western Washington University, we started casually chatting on Facebook. I'd followed his life throughout the years, see him have girlfriends and see it not work out. This is somewhat embarrassing to admit, but I knew we had a lot in common based on what I noticed on his profile. The summer before I started college, our communication started to rapidly develop. Messages became the length of novels, and then we switched over completely to phone conversations. We would talk all throughout the day about every aspect of our lives, our beliefs, our goals, past present and future. Everything. 

October 11th, 2008

This new found connection + my previous crush quickly became fully developed "feelings". In October of 2008, he invited me to a concert in Portland. It was clear that the age gap no longer mattered. So really, this is me, giving hope to all young girls in the world crushing on their sibling's friends.


I guess I want to relate this experience to the whole idea of dating in college. I've had a few people express the opinion that it's bad to become tied down too young. But in my life, I don't find these arguments applicable. I am dating my best friend. Is that not something to hold on to? Even more, when I look at the drama and uncertainty my single friends face, the hooking up, the awkward dates, I'm even happier that I'm in a stable and healthy relationship. 

Photograph by Hannah Schultz (clearly)

Now, I'm not saying that everything in my life and relationship is perfect. It shouldn't be. Alex and I have had our fair share of trouble that we have needed to work through. I am also aware that there are positive aspects of being single in college, like gaining a greater sense of independence. I just believe that when you find someone you love, you don't let go of it because of how old or young you may be. You love who you love when you love them, and that's that. 


I hope this post hasn't been too unbearably mushy-gushy. But I really want to know something, since everyone's lives and experiences are different. Have you ever loved anyone? And what has your college dating OR single experience been like?