A loving and committed relationship with someone who supports you through the highs and lows. This can be a romantic partner, a friend, or even a parent figure. Having that supportive person in your life is a big part of making it through those stressful years in college when your close friends might be superbusy or spread out across the country. They can be your own personal cheerleader, and help you to keep on track with your wellness goals by reminding you of how awesome you are when you’re down or giving you a hug to show you that everything is going to be okay.
This type of relationship often involves sharing similar interests, but can also be about learning something new together. It can also involve being mutually respectful and supportive of each other’s individual interests. Some couples find this kind of relationship more satisfying than a marriage, which is a legal agreement between two people that joins their lives and grants them specific rights and privileges.
A strong relationship is one that’s built on trust, which means being honest with each other all the time. This includes not only what you do and say, but also your thoughts and feelings. It’s also about respecting that each of you has your own unique personality, interests, and ways of relating to the world and to others. This means that everything is fair game for discussion, including what you’re thinking about your crush or your weird sexual fantasies.