Children begin having crushes at an early age, and adults often find it cute. But when it comes to high school relationships, it should no longer be “cute.”

Many adults often tell us how we are too young to be thinking about marriage or children but continue pressuring us to figure out what we want to be when we “grow up.”

How is it that I can plan my future career but cannot plan my future family? A family should have more importance than a career in the end.

I often also hear teenagers being told that dating at our age should be fun and don’t discuss the ideas of family and those things. But dating at any age without the purpose of marriage or staying together forever is just asking for it to end in heartbreak.

I understand that at this age many people do not know what they want to do with the rest of their lives or that they may change their plans, but if someone doesn’t have a goal that matches mine, why would I waste my time?

People often tell teenagers that we are too young to fall in love, but love doesn’t have an age preference. Some people may find love at 13 while others may not find it until 60.

No one has the right to tell someone if they are or are not in love. It is unrealistic to say what age someone will find love at because no one truly knows.

Teens looking beyond looks and thinking about personality and their future shouldn’t be discouraged by others telling them how they should feel.

A relationship based on fun can only last so long before things get real and feelings get hurt.

For the teenagers, do not settle for someone just because they are fun in the moment. Think beyond that. Think about what you want for yourself in the future.

For the adults, stop telling teens everything they need to think and do. You should be proud of the teens that are thinking beyond who is the hottest person to date.

In the end, who you want to be with for the day, or for the rest of your life, is a personal decision.

Do what is best for you because you are the person who has to live with the choices you make.