Dear, Girls With Boyfriends (And All The Single Ladies)

In the month of November, I like to do at least one relationship post since my anniversary with my Cameron is on the 15th (!!!)

I can't believe we'll be celebrating five years together. If you're doing the math right now in your head - yes, we started dating when I was 14. I met him on the very first day of high school in Señora Bradbury's Spanish class.

To this day, Cam is the most loving person I've ever met. From the first time he gave me a hug me when I was sad one day in class (didn't even flinch that I got mascara on his sweatshirt) I knew he was someone I wanted in my life. We were just friends at first, but I would always tell him that his future girlfriend was going to be so lucky to have someone like him. And then sometime a couple months later, than lucky girl was me! So there's the short version of "How Cameron and Cristina Started Dating".

This post isn't really specifically about me or my relationship. For this post, I want to share some valuable things I've learned with those that have significant others and those who don't; either way, you're doing life just right

Lately, girls who have boyfriends have kinda gotten a bad rep. I don't know how it is for guys, but I would say the issue arises for us females because of the rise of women today, which I am all by the way. Women are pushing so hard to be independent and seen as equally-capable to their male counterparts (again, all for it) that girls with boyfriends are sometimes mis-labeled as weak.

"If your boyfriend is your best friend, you're doing it wrong"
"If you have to text him in the morning, you're weak"
"You shouldn't have to ask him to come over and fix anything, you need to do it yourself"

I'm here to say, no. Just because YOU make the personal decision to let someone into your life and let someone be there every step of the way does not make you weak, unimportant, or over-dependent. I think that makes you strong. That shows that you have trust and compassion. And that is something I think we could all agree needs to be more prominent in the world.

I personally do not get a lot of grief, luckily. From early on, my friends and family saw how much brighter my life was with Cam in it. He was there for a lot of rocky moments in the history of my high school years that a girl really needs a best friend to get through. No, you don't need another person to make you feel special or help you to keep it together, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with someone thinking you're great and being there for you. If that's wrong, I don't want to be right.

I am a better person with my other half. I have learned so many things from him that I'll always carry with me in our life together and I wouldn't trade that for the world.

Someone was there for me when I was 15 and my parents got divorced.
Someone held my hand when I got my cartilage pierced at 16.
Someone took me to prom when I was 17 and stayed with me when I got a migraine instead of going to the after party.
Someone cheered at all the football games with me in my first year of college when I was 18.
And now....well I'm 19 years old and I need to finish writing this post so I can go see someone and ask them how their day was.

Girls without boyfriends: You are beautiful and you don't need a man. But when you find someone, don't be hesitant to let them in. You will not lose your independence, your spark, or anything. You don't need someone to complete you, but be prepared that someone is out there that one day just might.

Girls with boyfriends: Thanks for being a good example of someone that can be strong and in a relationship at the same time. Treat your other half well and don't be ashamed of loving someone. Loving someone shows the world something beautiful that I think it ought to see.


Next Thursday, I'll be posting our anniversary pictures that our friends Elizabeth and Parker took for us! So stay tuned for that and have a great rest of your week.

X,

Cristina