Relationships: what are they exactly? On a basic level, it’s an intense interpersonal connection between two or more people.

But ask any other person and you’ll get a different definition. Love is subjective, hard to box in. The Observer asked Fordham students to tell us themselves: what does a relationship mean to them?

“Relationships are when people connect in a certain way where you enjoy the presence of that person. In terms of friendship, you enjoy fun activities with that person. Familial love is built through your own blood connection whom you’ve enjoyed growing up with. Romantic relationships are when you connect with a person who is both your best friend and lifelong partner whom you truly love.” –Stephen Howard, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’20, in a relationship

“Love is treating someone how you treat yourself, and I define a relationship as a common bond between two people.” –Cierra Bakhsh, FCLC ’20, in a relationship

“A relationship means sacrifice, being able to healthily give up a part of yourself for the other.” –Paolo Estrella, Gabelli School of Business (GSB) at Lincoln Center ’20, in a relationship

“Relationships are timeless bonds — whether it applies to close friends, family or romantic partners — that even though things are always changing throughout our lives, the people you share a relationship with are your ‘constants’ who are there for you through all the changes no matter what.” –Stephanie Carola, FCLC ’20, in a relationship

“Relationships are a special connection between people who truly care about one another and enjoy each other’s presence. There are many forms of relationships that include friends, family and romance, which all represent a different type of connection.” –Nicholas Howard, FCLC ’20, single

“It is an agreement between two people to see each other exclusively and develop connections.” –Chloe Djomessi Siakam, FCLC ’21, in a relationship

“[Relationships are] being able to trust someone no matter what.” –Kaila Cordova, FCLC ’22, single