It's all about YOU

It's strange to no longer be that girl who never had a boyfriend, who boys never showed interest in, who didn't actually know what it meant to flirt or play footsie or what exactly was the process of making out.
The boyfriend thing was always a huge deal to me. I wondered what was wrong with me that guys weren't interested--it seemed that everyone had already had their first kiss or boyfriend or reciprocated crush.

Then I came to Vassar and discovered that there other girls had just as much experience as I had--complete with the desperate crushes, worries about self-worth, etc. And once I discovered this and made amazing platonic friends and learned to like my body (even with OR without clothing) I was gradually learning that some guys did, in fact, notice me, which was simultaneously wonderful (it feels good to have someone be attracted to you) and slightly unimportant (I was more satisfied with myself, so I didn't need a guy's validation to quite the same extent I used to).

And now I'm in a relationship that evolved naturally out of a wonderful friendship. The courting period wasn't without its difficulties, and the now-official relationship is real-life great rather than magical Disney movie happy ending--after all, if it were a happy ending then the movie wouldn't be still going on, right?

I work to prevent myself from leaning too much on the relationship but also from doing the opposite. I don't want to be dependent on being in a relationship just the same as I accept anyone's need for social comfort.

I really enjoy this struggle, to be honest. I appreciate having the opportunity to worry about whether I like him too much or whether everything's ok with myself.

The moral of the story is, love yourself genuinely and other people might just like you, too. And if they don't? Well, that's sad. But you love yourself and that's what makes the difference.

-aRCHEL