Steph: I was reading your Formspring. Haha not a stalker. How long were you with your first love from high school? I’m going through a break up with my first love and we’ve been together for 8 years!

• Steph: Ok i just read how long you and your first love were together in the next question. Sorry!

Steph: Haha, it’s okay!  We were together for 6 years from freshman year in high school until our 2nd year in college.  That is a long time during a huge part of my life!  We broke up and are now on good terms (though it took quite a few years, understandably).  We even comment on each other’s FB statuses and stuff; Ryan doesn’t mind since it was so long ago and no feelings are involved.

My one piece of advice to you is don’t stay together because you have been together for so long.  I know that when my ex and I were together, I had a hard time thinking about breaking up with him because we were dating for SO LONG.  It’s like “Well we’ve been together for 6 years, so SOMETHING is right, right?”  Not necessarily.  Time isn’t really a reason to stay together.  

Also realize that since you two have been dating for so long that if you two do break up, it’s important that it’s a TRUE break-up.  Not a “we still text, call, email, IM each other” type break-up.  It’s a slippery slope to fall into the habit of being each other’s best friend and confidant because that’s what you’re used to.  So be sure, that if you truly do want to break up, that it’s a TRUE break up.

Lastly, I know a lot of yourself was defined by him - how can it not be?  You were with someone for so long!  But you are your own person, you do have things that YOU alone like to do and that YOU alone can do by yourself.  Believe that you can be alone and relish in it.

P.S. I like that I said “my one piece of advice is…” and then proceed to tell you more than one. :P