During high school, many relationships often come and go; there are rare stories of them being able to withstand the pressures and struggles of being a teenager. Fortunately for three teachers at Portola High, they are still with the same partners they met during their adolescence.
Throughout a relationship, couples often face hardships, but through communication and understanding, they are able to come out stronger than before. Math teacher Samantha Zimmerle first met her boyfriend in middle school, and they started dating in high school, marking a total of ten years together.
“Communication is always the key, and just being able to talk to your partner about things like ‘Hey, this is what’s bugging me,’ and then being open to hearing the criticism has helped a lot,” Zimmerle said.
As people get older they grow and change, and couples often go through major life events with one another, putting their growth into perspective. French teacher Megan Kirby met her now husband during her final year of high school. Although they differed socially, they connected instantly. Sometimes, you end up with a person who you least expect at an unexpected time, according to Kirby.
“I love [being with my husband], but it’s really funny sometimes because we didn’t know each other until senior year of high school,” Kirby said. “ I think one [of my favorite memories] was when we bought our first house together, and it’s not far from where we met in high school. Just seeing our lives come full circle has been amazing.”
During social studies department chair Jon Resendez’s senior year, he met his now wife, Special Education co-department chair Melody Resendez. Melody, who was a junior at the time, was originally interested in Jon’s best friend. After he rejected Melody, Jon took the initiative and took her out on a date to the movies, starting the beginning of a 24-year relationship.
“Something we’ve always done really well is communicate, have conversations, and enjoy each other’s company,” Jon Resendez said. “It’s just so easy. It’s always been that way since the first date. So just talking to her is my favorite part. We’ve always worked together. We work really well together. That’s a thing that a lot of couples can’t say is that they work really well together, that they don’t let the work and the work poison their relationship, that it actually augments their relationship.”
Finding the right person is one thing, but putting in the work and effort throughout the years is another. Seeing each other grow and change from childhood to adulthood is truly a privilege that not many people have.
“It’s been wonderful knowing that we’ve grown up together and just grown as humans and as people together. And to see how far we’ve come has been really inspiring,” Zimmerle said.
