Love comes in a variety of forms, from platonic to familial; each is necessary to have a fulfilling life. Relationships are important, they are a part of what defines us as human beings. There is one form of love that often, in my view, is not truly appreciated in modern-day campus culture: romantic love. Romantic love I must clarify is not the end-all, be-all of life, it is just another important relationship that brings many benefits.

College is an opportunistic time to pursue a serious romantic relationship that will last for the long haul. According to Pew Research Center data from 2006, 38 percent of people who are married and in committed relationships met their partner at school or at work. In addition, 58 percent of people 18-29 are either married or in a committed relationship.

Romantic relationships can be great and promote greater wellness across different aspects of life. Another thing I must clarify when speaking of romantic love, I mean actual love, not just passion; I’m speaking about a stable romantic love that has matured and grown.

Harry Ries, co-editor of the Encyclopedia of Human Relationships, described in an article for WebMD the stressfulness of the passionate stage of love. “There’s no evidence that the intense, passionate stage of a new romance is beneficial to health,” says Reis. “People who fall in love say it feels wonderful and agonizing at the same time.”

Real love is a sustained choice, where we choose who we love. Dr. Kurt Smith — Clinical Director of Guy Stuff Counseling & Coaching — in his article “Love Is A Choice More Than A Feeling” illustrates how love is a choice. He said, “Who we love is as much of a choice as it is a feeling. Staying in love takes a commitment. After the rosy glow of the new relationship wears off, we have to make a decision: Do we want to love this person and commit to a relationship together, or are we going to let this person go?”

Healthy romantic relationships change our life for the better after the roller coaster of the initial stages are over. That does not mean the relationship will be perfect, but real love is worth the effort. Romantic love that has fully matured past the passionate stage hosts many health benefits that improve people’s quality of life. The WebMD article notes that the US Department of Health and Human Services reported on multiple studies of marriage and health, finding that “married people have fewer doctor’s visits and shorter average hospital stays.”

A study also suggests that people deeply in love feel less pain. No seriously, a study by Stanford University had college students look at a photo of their beloved and an acquaintance. The researchers then recorded how their brains responded to pain. Looking at the photo of a significant other reduced moderate pain by about 40 percent and eased severe pain by about 10 to 15 percent, compared to seeing a picture of an acquaintance.

Romantic love has many psychological and emotional health advantages as well. According to a Health and Human Services report, getting married and staying married reduces depression in both men and women.  A study based on the 2009 California Health Interview Survey found that couples, specifically same-sex couples, had less of a risk of mental illness than LGBTQ people who were single.

Researchers also said that the same is true for heterosexual couples. “We know that heterosexual marriage provides a higher perception of social integration and support. It makes sense that same-sex marriages would carry some of the same benefits,” said study author Allen LeBlanc, a professor of sociology at San Francisco State University, to ABC News.

Romantic relationships benefit people in other areas of life, as well. Statistics from the Pew Research Center show that married couples accumulate more wealth than single and divorced people. Finances can be scary post-graduation, so having a partner you can build wealth with can help ease the burden of transitioning into the next stage of life.

Happiness makes life more fulfilling, and having a partner to share it with can boost that feeling. Being in a healthy and supportive relationship makes people happier, according to Psychology Today — shocking I know — and there is science to back this up. Studies have shown that being in love raises oxytocin, which promotes bonding and comfort, which is why people feel better when they are with their significant other.

Love is an important part of life that can lead to a more happy and fulfilled state of being. Healthy romantic relationships are an important aspect of life that cannot be ignored. Take this summer to reflect on your relationships and take some chances because the benefits outweigh the costs. College is a pragmatic time to be in love and find someone special that will be there for you and only you, go out there and love somebody.