I can honestly say that I dont know the answer to your questions but I had all of them when my partner and I started dating when I was 22 and she was 21. Our relationship went through a lot of stuff including a 2 year period where we weren't together but still living together (talk about AWKWARD!) When we got back together we learned a lot of stuff that we still remind each other that we learned. This is just the stuff that works for us, I have no idea how others feel about it.
1. We learned that there has to be a me, you, and us to our relationship. I am extremely independent and have lots of interests. She only had me for a very long time. She was too dependent on me for everything in her life and it was extremely stressful.
2. There is need in love and it's okay. For a very long time I didn't get that. due to some issues that I had, I was terrified of needing her at all therefore I kept her at arm's length a lot. It's ok.
3. You can't fight and be hurt unless you love someone.
4. There is no substitute for communication.
When I first fell for her I couldln't imagine anything being more important. When things fell apart, I couldn't imagine anything be more painful.
But we got through it. There was a lot of hurt. A lot of anger. But in the end we did what we didn't do to begin with...we learned. It was a good thing.
I say all the time we are striving to be "imperfectly perfect" In my experience we may not be perfect, but our imperfection make us darn close.
Just know in your heart that you want to make things work and realize that things will change...and that's okay. The important thing is to keep growing and changing as well.
Take care and follow your heart,
Gray