Although many students date during college, few truly commit to one another. Even fewer enter and leave college in the same relationship.
Matt Hopke, a sophomore studying business and finance, said he and his girlfriend of three and a half years, Alicia Erben, met their freshman year of high school while they were running cross country.
She was definitely the more aggressive one at first. She asked me to Homecoming and that was our first date
he said.
Erben, a sophomore studying education and social studies, said Hopke asked two of her friends to their high school homecoming, but she told her friends to say no in hopes he'd ask her.
I knew he just hadn't realized that I liked him and that I wanted him to ask me. ... I told him he should take me but he totally asked me out Erben said.
After dating a few months their freshman year of high school, he and Erben broke up, Hopke said.
We were only 15. We were too young to be together
he said.
Jonathan Mosko, staff psychologist and group coordinator at Hudson Health Center, said young people in college have not finished developing.
We tend to form relationships with people who we are attracted to
but also those who reciprocate our interest
he said.
The couple was back together junior year, Hopke said.
It was cross country season again. We saw each other every day. We were both driving and could do our own thing. ... We've been going steady ever since
he said.
A year into the relationship, Hopke knew he loved Erben.
No matter how angry or upset I get with her
at the end of the day
I just know how long she's been there. I just know that I truly love her and she loves me
he said.
A sense of self-awareness is necessary for a successful relationship, Mosko said.
People get more experienced with relationships. They get better at judging what relationships work well for them
he said. When people are younger and they have less experience and perspective
