As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I followed my religions guidelines on not dating until 16-years-of-age. I even took it a step further and attempted to make it 18 for myself. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it past my 17th birthday.
Tyler was a gorgeous, emo, straight-edger who pretended he disliked me because I wore clothes from major corporations like Target who don’t have the most tasteful reputations. I pretended I didn’t like him because all my friends did. It was basically love at first sight, and from then on, there was Tony, Greg, Nate, Neil, another Greg, David…you get the picture.
Throughout the times that I was dating all of these different men, I had been attempting to get back into the school mode and put myself through college. One semester started out well, then I met another Greg and ended up completely flunking all four of my classes because he was my priority.
I wasted not only my dad’s money and my time, but I lost a lot of my dad’s trust and my own self respect.
About two years ago, I saw one of my friends from high school at a party. I was surprised to find out that she was married and pregnant with her second kid. I learned that she too had been trying to get through college and ended up getting pregnant with a random boy and is now stuck in a situation that she could not get out of. Seeing her in a life that could be my life terrified me.
After the party, I immediately went home and signed up for the spring semester at SLCC. I had to put myself through a couple semsters until I proved to my dad that I was serious about wanting to get a degree.
My hardwork is finally paying off this semester since I will be getting my associates and being able to continue on to a University. I wish I could say that this is mainly because I finally figured out what I wanted to do with my life, but it’s not. It’s because I do not date during the school year. I go to school all three semesters a year at SLCC and that gives me about a month and a half during the year to date.
I always really enjoyed the guys I would date during that time, and to be fair I would warn them what would happen once the semester began. And once it began, I would pull myself away like I said I would. Some would cry, some would pout, some would not care, but most would know that I am serious. I am seriously a student and don’t have time to deal with feelings.
Maybe one day, I will meet that person that makes me want to date during the school year again, but for now, I think I am content using it as an excuse to finish my homework and to get out of some awkward situations.