Secrets to a happy relationship

Truth: Happy relationships make long lasting relationships.

First and foremost, you will not have a long lasting relationship if you do not have chemistry. Chemistry is one of those things that is hard to explain, but you know it when you have it. When you have chemistry, things just click and make sense. You never think in the back of your mind that you can live with your significant other's problems or convince yourself that eventually they will see the light and change. If there is chemistry, you love them for EVERYTHING that they are. Trust me, even the smallest things will eat away at you overtime.

Now, I might as well go ahead and say that I am in no way a relationship expert. I've noticed over the course of my relationship that the following secrets have come naturally and are constant.

1. Laugh everyday.

For one reason or another, we always end up laughing our asses off. Sometimes we laugh so hard we end up in tears. If your sense of humors mesh well, you will never run out of things to laugh at. So, goof around and make each other laugh.

2. Make plans.

Make plans so that you have something to look forward to together. Don't just wait for fun things to come along. Introduce each other to something new. Share your favorite things and places with each other. We already have plans for laser tag, the pumpkin patch, carving pumpkins, Halloween, the Christmas tree farm, sledding, and driving around looking at Christmas lights. In the long term there are a dozen or so weekend trips that we would love to take.

3. Challenge each other and conquer.

Challenge your loved one to go outside their comfort zone. Introduce them to a new type of food or entice them to do something that they would never have done before. Most recently, my boyfriend enlisted me to bike the annual Moonlight Ramble in St. Louis. I was really nervous before the event because I had not ridden a bike in over 10 years. I wasn't sure if I could complete the 14 mile course and I did not want to disappoint him. We started off kind of rocky. He was getting a little agitated that I was going so slow, but he recognized that I was trying hard and switched into supportive mode. Needless to say the bike ride kicked my ass, but I was so happy we stuck it out and completed the full course together. We conquered the Moonlight Ramble and are ready to move on to our next challenge.

4. There is always time for cuddle time.

Take at least 5 minutes out of your day and cuddle up with each other. Some of your best time spent is in each others arms. You cannot get closer than being physically close. Take the time to unwind and relax with each other. My favorite is falling asleep tangled together and taking a few extra minutes to wake up with each other.

Finally, always be supportive, encourage each other to grow, expand each others horizons, and pick your fights. Don't be afraid to disagree. Just don't turn disagreements into full blown fights.

What are your secrets to a happy relationship?

SH

How NOT to peak in high school

Truth: It is NEVER classy to peak in high school.

So we have all been there. High school. I'm not sure what stereotype you mostly fell into but I sure know what I did. I was the "dork/nerd/geek." It's true. I wear my stereotype proudly, because in reality, it got me to where I am today.

What qualified me as a dork? No, I didn't wear pocket protectors. I was just in all advanced classes which made me "socially unacceptable." Which was fine by me. I still had a great time in high school and wouldn't change a thing. My classes came with 40 fun friends that I was able to spend all four years with. Actually, I will share a secret with you at the end. But first, you have to read this post.

Ok, so since we have all been there, you will know that every high school has them. They are known as the popular girls/mean girls/It girls. Whatever. Basically the girls that no body likes except for themselves. They, in all reality, crowned themselves popular. (I always thought popular was judged by how many friends you had. Who knew?)

Any who, for those of you not fortunate enough to get in with the chosen ones, don't fret. Because, my friends, believe me when I tell you that they peaked in high school. Those four short years were the only best years of their lives.

I will bet that 9 out of 10 golden girl gets fat, knocked up, or is still working at Tan Co. So, here is my advise to those of you going through high school (or just a fun thing to think about for those of you not fortunate enough to belong to the popular club.)

1. When you are in high school, you find the idea of drinking thrilling, rebellious and oh so cool. Now, I am not dogging alcohol, because I drank when I was in high school. However, drinking was not my life and is still not my life. Besides, binge drinking leads to beer bellies. I swear that most of the golden girls from my high school that are now slightly (when I say slightly I mean they are carrying around two extra grown people or more inside of them) overweight, gained their extra pounds by hitting the bottle a little too hard. Their sloppy love affair started early in their high school years. Do yourself a favor and truly drink in moderation. Don't let high school be the last time people remember you at your skinniest and healthiest.

2. We all know that life is full of surprises. With this being said, every child is a blessing. But do yourself a favor and keep any extra-curricular activities safe. There is nothing better than looking back on high school or the immediate years following and knowing that the homecoming queen got knocked up by her 28 year old boy friend at the time who just so happened to be married. Very classy. At the very least, if you get a little surprise of your own, don't let it stop from doing what you want to do with your life. Keep moving forward. It is best for both you and your bundle of joy.

3. Do something with your life. Go to college, trade school, or get your feet wet with some serious work. Don't be the girl that is still working at Tan Co. just for the discounts. You will end up leathery and looking back on your life with nothing to be said for it. Trust me, college is nothing like high school. I thought high school was kick ass, but college was even better!

Another piece of advice that my oh-so adorable boy friend would like to add is...
"Getting around and going to new places is fun. Ending up with a house that can do the same is NOT fun."

What I am saying is...there is nothing more gratifying than looking back and realizing that their best years are behind them and your best years are ahead of you. So, with whatever you do, always do the next thing bigger and better. AND, don't get so caught up in high school bull-shit that you get stuck there.

Ok, now feel free to laugh at my graduation picture.

Ok, as for my secret. Let me preface this with saying that I never thought any guys from my high school were interested in me. I didn't really care. Most of them were lame anyways. Since graduation, I have run into guys from high school that were outside of my social circle. On more than one occasion they have mentioned to me that they always thought I was "good looking", but felt that I was unapproachable because I was so "smart." I laugh at the thought of me being intimidating. But I'll take it for what it is.

So remember, classy chicks are like fine wine. We only get better with age.

SH