BY ALYSSA MCCANN // OCT. 19, 2013 //

Many people have a picture in their mind that depicts the perfect relationship. If you ask me, I don’t believe such relationships exist.

According to the Urban Dictionary, the perfect relationship is “being with the one you completely admire and adore…willing to do anything for that person.” It’s also when two independent people love each other through their faults, and are simply happy with one another. The challenge is that everyone has his or her own beliefs in how a relationship should be.

Movies like “The Notebook” surely influence people’s views of ideal relationships.

For example, in Fifty Shades of Grey, the best-selling novel by EL James, a young woman is submissive to a young, successful man who is completely misunderstood and mysterious. For sure, it was not a traditional romance. But still, their love worked for them.

Where did we develop the idea of a perfect relationship? It could have started when we were little kids, watching our favorite Disney princesses being saved by their prince charming. Or it could be the dramatic love stories we have watched, such as the “Notebook,” “A Walk to Remember” and many more. Regardless of what drilled the image of a “perfect relationship” in our heads, we must get it out. There is no picture-perfect relationship.

We create our own happiness and with that happiness we develop happy and healthy relationships. Who cares if your boyfriend doesn’t surprise you with flowers every month, or that your girlfriend spends more attention to her new Instagram “selfie” than she does to you. What matters at the end of the day is your equal respect and care for one another.

It is up to you and your partner to create your own happiness, and to develop your own perfectly imperfect relationship.