What I've Learnt from My Relationship with a Teacher

As a kid my dream was to be surrounded by books. I'd planned my future as I sat in my room, surrounded by books; my ideal boyfriend would be a book lover too. More specifically an English teacher. So imagine my distaste when all I ended up with was far from what I wanted until one day in 2014.My boyfriend & I met at university and after being best friends for 18 months, we started a relationship that has gone from strength to strength. We have survived grief, graduating, and two hectic full-time work schedules.

I've learnt a lot in the past three years supporting the guy I love's dreams and watching him succeed. While it hasn't always been literature, surrounding ourselves with books from different centuries & decades, I definitely wouldn't change him or our relationship for the world. While everyone's experience of being in a relationship with a teacher is different, this is just my account of things during the course of our relationship. So here are six things I've learnt during our relationship.

Prepare Yourself

Teaching is not a 9-5 job. Prepare yourself for the inevitability that plans will be cancelled or rearranged due to a heavy work schedule. Prepare to either never see that person, or see very little of them - even if you live together. A lot of apologising and making up is usually involved. You can scream, cry, and send as many pissed off text messages as you like: the fact of the matter is they're working to make a better future for both you & them.

Provide the TLC

Teaching anyone under the age of eighteen is difficult. All you want when you get home from work is a cup of tea and a cuddle - especially when you've had someone else's child disrespecting you in the classroom all day. Sometimes all they need to recharge is some TLC.

Don't Take Them Venting Personally

This is something I learnt recently. If they're having a shitty day and shouting to you about it, that doesn't mean you've pissed them off. Let your partner let off some steam as it's probably the only chance they'll get before heading off to work the next day. See them letting you into their emotional psyche as them trusting you enough to try and help them work through whatever problem they're facing.

Time Together Is Precious

Even during the times you see them they don't switch off from work! Their bedrooms are covered in papers ready to mark or lessons to plan. You can bet that they will be 110% done for the day once you're home, dinner is on, and Netflix is set up. Pick something to do that you both enjoy. Eat take away, watch a terrible movie you can both laugh at, do something that's a million miles away from your work schedules and de-stress.

Six Weeks Off For Summer? Forget About It!

My boyfriend gets four weeks off in the Summer. Two out of the six weeks he's in his office - after all the kids have left for the year - preparing for the next academic year.

Make memories

In the times when neither of you are at work, make memories! Go on day trips, go out for lunch, book a holiday!! Leave work behind! This time is special because it's likely to be the only time where you're their focus 100% of the time instead of getting 80% of their attention. Every week we had together away from our hectic work schedules I planned something special to see places we'd never seen, together.

And Last of All

Keep your social media private! In the age of social media everyone seems to know everything that's going on in your life. There have been a few instances now where my boyfriend's students have found my Instagram, or tried to follow me on there. Work is work, your partner deserves a life outside of work - at least online.