Unfortunately, moving away from the people closest to you requires some sacrifice. This doesn't mean sacrificing your heart, but it does mean learning to compromise somewhat for love.
Long-distance relationships are not easy. (That's the understatement of the year, I know.) They require work and trust — more than you've ever experienced. Genuine communication isn't an easy feat when you're stressed out, let alone over 2,000 miles away from the person you care about.
Nothing is perfect, though, and having complete trust is really the key. There are the critics — the friends who let you know it will never work or last — but nobody can understand the situation until he or she has been through it.
Long-distance relationships can work; they have for many people and continue to do so. As long as both people want the relationship to work, it can and it will. The evidence is in the vast numbers of message boards and support groups devoted to long-distance relationships. Now, with technological advances such as instant messaging, texting, and web cameras, couples can easily see and talk to their significant others via the Internet. Programs from companies like AOL and Yahoo! have made using a web camera simple and accessible.
There are some key components, though, to keeping the fire alive in a long-distance relationship. Below are some tips I've gathered from different sources that may prove to be logical, reasonable, and helpful in your long-distance love endeavors.
- Communicate! This is important in any relationship. Keep in touch with your significant other's daily routine. It's important to be on the same page and understand that you are there for each other. Be honest and talk about what's going on in your life. If the relationship isn't meant to last, this will come through in the way you communicate. This process can be a bit scary; you are completely vulnerable since words are your primary medium for communicating with one another. Just make sure you're making the best use of them. Miscommunication causes a lot of breakups, and you obviously don't want it to lead to the demise of your relationship.
- Special moments count. Spend a second or two texting each other. This lets you know that the person across the country is thinking about you at that exact moment, which is exciting and allows you to connect. Finding ways to show that you care and think about the person so many miles away lets your other half know that you are truly invested in the relationship. It makes both of you feel special and more confident about your feelings for each other.
- Your web camera is your new friend. One of the hardest things about long-distance relationships is that you don't have a level of physical intimacy with the other person. Memories of simple things such as kissing, hugging, and cuddling cause yearning feelings that need to be suppressed while you are apart. However, using a web camera can help you deal with those feelings. You can talk to your boyfriend or girlfriend face-to-face, which makes life a bit more bearable. Experts also suggest taking your camera use to the next level by having romantic dinner dates or playing games to make you feel more connected.
- Trust in the person. Honesty is essential, and that is really all you can go on. Putting your heart in your partner's hands can be difficult and scary, but you need to do it in order to progress. The individual you care for is far away, and that might make it harder to find out if he or she is lying to you about something; however, it doesn't mean he or she isn't telling you the truth. You hope that the other person will be into the relationship as much as you are, but if he or she isn't, it ultimately won't work. Make sure you are honest, and trust that your partner will be too. It can be hard to avoid letting paranoia take over because with long-distance relationships, feelings of doubt and loneliness can emerge. But as long as you both want it to work, it will, and if it's meant to be, it will be.
