Every school has that one couple who have held strong and, despite their differences, have learned to compromise with one another and love each other more and more each day. One year turns into two, leading into the third, and before they know it, they’ve been slapped with the title of high school sweethearts.
High school sweethearts have been recognized as couples who were committed from the start, maintained their solid relationship, and haven’t taken any short “breaks” in between. However, while couples believe that if their relationship complies with the above they’ll have their happily ever after, well, keep dreaming. According to the Professors House website, the statistic of high school sweethearts marrying each other is less than two percent (professorshouse.com).
Although the statistic of high school sweethearts can be discouraging, the fact that a couple can be committed to their partner (especially in high school of all places) for several years is still impressive, not to mention cute to boot. Senior Ariel Boyer and her boyfriend Senior Brandon Young are their class’ high school sweethearts, and represent a strong relationship that others can envy. The couple has been together since freshman year, and although they’re happy together and look forward to seeing one another each day, they don’t dream about the future, unlike the stereotypical high school sweethearts. “We don’t really think about the future, whatever happens, happens,” said Boyer.
“Being high school sweethearts was never our goal, and to be honest, it doesn’t really feel like it,” explained Young. “Our relationship ended up building our friendship, and it only gotten stronger over the years. We’re lucky to have each other not only as one another’s boyfriend and girlfriend, but best friends too.”
According to the Urban Dictionary website, high school sweethearts are defined as “a term of endearment or in an affectionate form in addressing a couple that has ‘dated’ or has been ‘dating’ during their high school years” (urbandictionary.com).
Senior Stephanie Paulino believes this definition is not only right on cue, but stands true for her parents. “My parents met in homeroom in seventh grade, but didn’t begin their relationship till high school,” she explained. “Five kids and two grandkids later, they will be celebrating their 30 year anniversary in May. My parents are really happy, and [show] that love at a young age truly does exists. They’re my living proof.” While not every high school couple will end up with a story like Paulino’s parents’, it’s reassuring to know not every high school relationship will turn out like one from The Bachelor, and that high school sweethearts really do exist.