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actually meeting up with my Spelman sister.” Allvson Brown and Chris Melvin Anniversary: January 2, 2010 Allyson’s classification/major: Junior, Drama/Theatre Arts at Spelman College, Atlanta, GA Chris’s major: Pre-Physical Therapy at Delgado Community College, New Orleans, LA 1) As a Spelman student in a long distance relationship with your high school sweetheart, what challenges do you face due to the separation from your significant other? a. Allyson: “There are times when I get lonely. I feel like the separation is difficult to bear because I want to have him physically around me, especially when I’m going through things that my closest friends can’t always help me through in the same manner that he can.” 2) What factors do you believe contribute to the success of your relationship? a. Chris: “Communication is really important in my opinion, especially since we attend schools in different states. We’ve adopted great ways to take each other’s feelings into consideration whenever we talk.” b. Allyson: “In addition to what he said, I think our years of building a friendship prior to the start of the relationship strengthened the love that we share for one another. Another big factor for me is trust. I’m able to know that he’s remaining faithful while I’m in Atlanta because we spent so many years trusting each other as friends first.” 3) Since the AUC consists of attractive men from both Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University, in what ways do you find yourself fighting off temptation in order to remain faithful? a. Allyson: “I avoid putting myself in conflicting situations. Whenever I interact with a guy in the AUC, he’s able to show me why Chris is such a great person and boyfriend. When I see other couples out here and hear why things didn’t work out, it reinforces the importance of building a friendship with someone before you begin the relationship aspect. Relationships go beyond physical appearances; there are also the mental and spiritual aspects to take into consideration. Guys know how to play with girls’ emotions.” b. Chris: “Even though this question is directed towards Ally, I believe that if I take care of my responsibilities as her man, then there won’t be any temptation on her part to be unfaithful. I’m completely confident in her, myself, and the relationship.” 4) What advice do you have for college women, especially those here at Spelman, who might be in a similar situation as yourself? a. Allyson: “I would encourage women to take things within their long-distance relationship one step at a time. It’s so easy to give up on a relationship when the two individuals are separated for long periods of time. You have to believe in the relationship and remain faithful because word can travel easily back to the person.” Paine Smith and Curtis Smith II Wedding anniversary: January 1, 2014 Paige’s classification/major: Junior, English major with a Professional Writing minor at Spelman College, Atlanta, GA Curtis’s classification/major: Junior, English major at Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA 1) What factors keep your love and bond for one another so strong? a. Paige: “That’s a great question! There are two things: Our faith and simply the decision to keep the relationship strong. Divorce isn’t an option for us and neither is a loveless, passionless marriage. We stay in love on purpose, we don’t want to fall in or out of love, but grow in it day by day. And I can honestly say I love Curtis better than I did when we got married January 1st. He’s not just my fiance now, he’s my best friend. Most importantly, our personal relationships with Jesus definitely bond us.” b. Curtis: “Our relationship and faith in Jesus Christ has kept our love and bond so strong because as we understand the depths of Christ’s love for us, it motivates and pushes us to love each other with this same love and compassion towards each other. Also our previous family experiences with divorce, unhappy marriages, and broken households give us a 8 Feb/March 2014 SpelmanPaper@gmail.com The BluePrint %•