Love. Such a crazy thing, isn’t it?

While a relationship may seem like an easy thing to maintain, many factors play a significant part. Grades, parents, siblings, sports, extra-curricular activities, sleep. How does one have time for a romantic relationship with another person? What may seem near impossible is something guys and girls seem to make work all the time. But what’s the key to a strong, healthy, sane relationship? It’s seems like it takes a few ideas to really make this thing called love work.

Time commitment

High school is a whirlwind of activities, which can make it hard to keep a relationship. “I think time affects a relationship a lot,” sophomore Sam Carey said. “If you don’t have a lot of time for a relationship, it makes the other person think you don’t need them.” Finding time for each other is pivotal for any relationship, but particularly a high school one. What’s the point of being with someone if you never get to see them?

Whether it’s a 10 minute FaceTime date between activities or just the two of you having ice cream during an off mod, finding time is key to making it work. “It [spending time with your significant other] shows that you care about the person and that they are important,” senior Taylor Gerber said.

Keeping the spark alive

Fun dates are a great way to keep the spark. Doing different things, like bowling or hiking, is a perfect setting for learning more about the person you’re with and will help you grow as a couple. “We are constantly finding new things to do including common interests and ways to make those things fun,” junior Emma Kleinberg said.

Boys, surprise her and make sure you let her know she’s on your mind. “I surprise her with flowers every one in a while and take her to fun places like rock state park,” junior Drew Cook said. Also, be don’t always plan things out. “Go to new places…spontaneously,” junior Rawlison Zhang said.

Trust

Trust is one of the most important parts of a relationship. Trusting your partner allows you to be yourself, which makes the relationship much more enjoyable. “With trust, communication is easier and relationships are real,” sophomore Faith Ensor said.

Additionally, it’s easy to feel jealous in a relationship. By developing a strong foundation early on, your relationship will have a much better chance of surviving through high school. “Trust in a relationship allows for less worrying about the other person and an overall happier relationship,” junior Cody Saunders said.

Communicate with each other and trust that you will make it through together. Holding in your emotions until the last minute, when you explode and start bringing up things that upset you three weeks ago, is asking for trouble. No matter how strong a relationship is, explosive arguments will destroy it. But if you speak up when you feel hurt or ignored, you will work out your issues as they come, which will not only bring the two of you together, but also help develop your trust levels.

Taking all these aspects into account, relationships can be fun, spontaneous, and exciting. As long as both people are on the same page, things always seem to work themselves out. The whole idea of love has a different meaning for everyone. High school relationships will always be complicated, but with the right person, and a little effort, a high-school fling can go a long way.

Hanna LeBuhn is a Lifestyles Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.

Angela DeCarlo is a Copy Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.