Madison Streich is a Warren Area High School junior and an aspiring journalist.

There are so many relationships you have in life without even realizing it.

The lovey-dovey relationships are not the only relationships you have. You have your friends, your boyfriends, your girlfriends, and your family. Relationships will help you get through life; they will be the only thing to help you in the long run.

Friends are one of the most important things in your life. You cannot fight me on this one because it is true. Your friends will always be there for you when you need something, when you are sad, when you are happy, through thick and thin. If you just read that statement and did not agree with it, find new friends.

I have loved talking since the day I was born. There has been a mess of words always coming out of this mouth. Therefore, I have made some pretty great friends. My friends have always had my back. I know I can always lean on them and I hope they all know they can lean on me. I have been known to be great with advice. You make some of the best memories in life with your friends. I do not ever remember a time I was not laughing with my friends, or staying up late and crying about our lives falling apart, or that boy you thought was going to love you ’til the day you die. I believe everyone needs a friend. If you did not have a friend in life you would probably be lost.

My favorite memories with my friends are sled-riding in “shorts,” having photo shoots until your smiles turn fake, the holiday parties with the candy, always going to the movies or malls and most importantly the deep conversations you have in the dark because it is the only time you can let it all out. Keep your friends around forever because they will always be there.

Love is not something you can mess around with. Love is something you do not take lightly. Love is different in all sorts of ways. Lots of people fall in love each day, at least that is what half of them think. Love can be with a boy or a girl. I have talked to many people in my life, many people who are in love. They light up at the thought of talking about their loved one and get one of those stupid grins on their face. I get intrigued at the thought of them talking because I love, love. I like seeing two people in love, like yes, you found your other half, good for you. Teenagers think they know what love is a day into a relationship. Teenagers do not know what love is. They will try to convince everyone around them that they know. I thought I was in love at the age of fifteen. I just had deep feelings for a person I cared for a lot. I think love is knowing a person inside and out, your face hurting from smiling so much when you are with them, your stomach hurting because they made you laugh that hard, getting the butterflies you got when you went on that big rollercoaster when you were six, getting the tingly feeling in your fingertips when you touch them, the shiver you get up your spine when they touch you and feeling at home in their arms. That is what I think love is about. It is not about saying the words “I love you” and convincing yourself you love this person because you have known them for five minutes and know their favorite color. People toss the words out like they mean nothing. “I love you” means you love everything about the person, you love their bad habits, you love their mistakes, and you love the past they have been through.  Next time you say “I love you” think about one thing. Do you love that person, or do you love the thought of that person?

Teenage relationships never last and that is a fact. Teenagers fight about two things — sex and jealousy. If you see absolutely no future with your partner do not give yourself away. You will never get that back. If you are jealous about your partner talking to boys or girls, think about how many boys or girls you talk to. This person is with you for a reason. If they wanted to be with someone else, they would be.

Another thing, if someone cheats on you, say goodbye to this person because once a cheater always a cheater. This person will not change for you or for anyone. If you are a teenager in a relationship and you are fighting, get out of the relationship. There is no reason to be fighting at the age of 16 or 17. You are not mature enough to be in a relationship if you are going to pick fights at a young age.

My favorite thing in life is my family. My favorite holidays are the holidays I get to spend with my family. I am so thankful for the family I grew up in. I live with my grandparents Leroy and Glenda Streich. The reasons why I said their names were because I cannot think of a time they were not there for me. Since I was 4, they have raised me into being a respectful, caring, kind, successful woman. My parents are not in the picture and that is okay. I was not just raised by my grandparents. I was also raised by my uncle Paul, my aunt Lori, and my uncle Brian. I would not be where I am in life today if it was not for my aunts and uncles. My uncles have raised me like I was their own and it has been a party. They are the craziest people, but I love them because they always keep life fun. My aunt Lori has listened to everything I have ever had to say, so shout out to her! My family is so much even though there are so many of us; you should see Fourth of July. There are always a few new babies by the fourth every year. I am thankful for all the family members because every single one of them has shown me a new lesson in life. My role model in life is one of my family members. Family is where home. Most teenagers get annoyed with their family, but not me. Family is everything and I love them all so much. You will need family in your life until you die. Family is the only people you can count on to not let you down.

Every relationship in life has something to give to you. Appreciate those who come to you.

Madison Streich is a Warren Area High School junior and an aspiring journalist.