Hi my name is shelly and I wanted to know if anyone could give me some advice. I am 15 years old and I am planning on moving to AC in 4 years after I graduate highschool for the summer. I went on a vacation to AC in February and I met someone there and I fell in love with him and I also fell in love with the island. Please tell me if I am dreaming a fantasy, or if it can come true. Thanks. My email is: sweetshellyp@aol.com

~Shelly~

Shelly-check your e-mail. I think you'll like what I have to say. Melissa

I think I've replied to you before, but I'll reitterate my advice. DON'T plan your life around this guy. You are very very young and have a lot to look forward to - one thing being high school, and another - COLLEGE! GO TO COLLEGE! Not just for the education, but for the experienc - meeting wonderful new, interesting people, dating, partying, studying, making life-long friends. Do not plan your life around this boy; keep in touch with him, but do your own thing. Do not make plans around your relationship. If it's meant to be, you will eventually end up together, but if you plan your life around him, you'll miss out on so much of what life in high school and college have to offer. I missed out on the fun of my whole senior year in high school because I was pining away for my boyfriend who was in college (who, by the way, I am no longer with - I'm married to a wonderful man and am so glad I waited to get married - at age 29).
Talk to your parents about this. They are wise and can probably give you great advice and support. They can also be there for you if you don't hear from this guy again (it appears from your previous posting that he hasn't returned your e-mails for a while). If you're strong and independent and live your life for yourself, you will fair quite well!
Best wishes and good luck!!!

yes, i think i relpied to you before too. ahhh, aren't we all falling in love at 15 or 16. i know i thought i was.

however, there were many boys & men since then. i too have been married to a wonderful man for many years (15, like you!). but there is still so much life for you to live and things to learn before you settle with one person.

she is right, if you were meant to be together, it will happen, but do not put others aside waiting. go to college and learn how to be a grown up first.

there are also many things you must learn to live without to live in a 3rd world country. they might not seem like much at first, but it is a difficult life, it is not like being on vacation forever. there is work, and rent, and food, and bills, and hurricanes and children all to consider. what if a storm blew thru and you lost everything you own?

i moved out of my parent's home at 19, and it was not easy. working in a supermarket for minimum wage to make ends meet was not glamorous (i had no college degree). we ate a lot of peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and spaghetti, for we could not afford any more. how will this boy support you? what if you get pregnant? what if he finds another beautiful tourist girl?

think things thru. fantasy is a wonderful thing, but it is not reality.