Want to see fireworks with your boo that last longer than the 4th of July holiday?

By Marissa

When I think about the 4^th of July, I immediately envision myself sitting by the lake, eating some BBQ, and hanging out with friends and family. It’s a holiday that perfectly embodies the feeling of summer. However, it still is just a holiday, which means that things may happen that are out of the ordinary.

For example, you may spend the night watching fireworks with your crush and be on Cloud 9. But, how do you know if this romance is the real deal, or if it’s just something that’ll quickly fizzle out once you both get back to reality? Here are some quick tips to make this romance continue long after the 4^th of July:

• Make time to hang out 1-on-1. It’s common to hang out in a big group on the 4^th of July. For example, a lot of people go camping in a group or attend a huge party with a group. There’s nothing wrong with that (after all, holidays are about spending time with good company). But, it’s important to spend alone time with the person you’re crushing on to make sure that the connection is still there once everybody else is out of the picture. Most importantly, make sure your relationship is healthy, whether you are alone or surounded by other people. 
• Make it a point to meet the parents. In my opinion, this is single-handedly the scariest part of being in a relationship. The pressure of impressing your significant other’s parents can be a huge weight on your shoulders, but it’s a good indicator of how serious you and your partner are about your relationship. If your significant other is hesitant to introduce you to his or her parents, that might be a sign that your relationship isn’t as strong as you think. Either way, this will be a learning experience for the both of you.

The 4^th of July is a great holiday to relax and take a break from your usual routine. It can also serve as a great checkpoint to see whether your relationship is destined for success, or if it's just not meant to be. Regardless of your relationship status, the most important thing is to enjoy yourself on this holiday and spend it the way you want, with the people you want.