A Valentine story … Love is in the air

In February, love tends to be at the forefront of people’s minds. Not only is this the month that Valentine’s Day calls its own, but it also is home to National Single People’s Day. February has a little something for everyone. One Newcastle couple has been through many Valentine’s Days. 
High school relationships often come and go; they are part of the high school journey. Finding that special person with whom you can share movie nights and go on dates is important. But then when that dreaded day of graduation comes, you move on to the next chapter of life. For this couple, graduation did not create a gap. It only brought them closer. 
Ezra Anderson and Alaina Steveson have been in a relationship since March of 2016, which makes their journey together at a little under six years. They met when they were in middle school and played soccer together, which brought them closer. 
“Ezra was, of course, interested first and we hung out here and there, … but we didn’t really get closer until soccer season, when we were around each other more often,” Steveson said. The pair were known throughout high school as “that one couple that’s been together for forever and a half.” 
After graduation this past year, they had to part ways for a time because Steveson departed for Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota, to attend college, leaving Anderson in Newcastle to complete his senior year of high school. The couple have been doing long-distance dating since August and haven’t had any signs of struggle. 

 
“We realize that we both have our own lives and that everything isn’t about ourselves,” Anderson said. “You can’t expect it to work if you’re a controlling type of person.” 
Anderson and Steveson see each other more often than people might think. Whether Steveson comes home on weekends to watch sporting events or Anderson makes the trek to BHSU for the day to have lunch with Steveson, they both say that they support each other whether they are near or far from each other physically. They are quick to give their reasons why they like each other, too. 
“My favorite part about Ez would be how determined he is about everything in life,” Steveson said. “It makes me want to be determined and more goal-oriented because I see how well it works for him.” 
“My favorite part about Alaina is how she shares a lot of the same interests as me. Through us maturing together, I feel like she has turned into my mini me and a person I could go to for anything,” Anderson said. 
Anderson and Steveson are becoming the epitome of “high school sweethearts.” Their dedication to each other and their relationship is surpassed only by their love for each other. The two are truly a perfect example of what the month of love should be about.