Living with long distance relationships presents a set of circumstances that is unique from other relationships. There are many reasons that a couple would enter these sometimes difficult, but usually worthwhile, situations. Maybe there is one partner who has to be away for a significant time due to work or military service, sometimes people meet online and without even intending to, begin to have romantic feelings for one another, others meet on internet dating sites and decide that they have something special and want to see where it might go, and sometimes these relationships are between young people whose families choose to relocate for one reason or another and it is out of their hands.
I began a long distance relationship through an internet dating site several years ago and found it to be incredibly rewarding, although there were some times that were very lonely and difficult to get through. One of the things that I considered as the relationship began to develop into a more serious one was whether or not it would ever progress into something more than it was at that point. Would one of us be willing to relocate if things continued down the path they were heading? In my situation, the answer was yes and we are now married, living together. Even so, my husband is gone four days a week due to his career as an airline pilot. Had the answer been no, I would have chosen to break things off before we ended up broken-hearted since there would have been no real future for us.
My long distance relationship remained that way for approximately eighteen months, which was plenty long enough to give me time and necessity to learn some coping skills that made it less stressed and more blessed. The following are seven tips that can help you and your loved one cope with your seperation while still growning your relationship.
1-The same thing that brought us together helped us to stay together. The advances in technology, particularly the internet, have made it possible to get to know someone without having to be face to face. Email is a wonderful way for the couple physically apart to keep their hearts close.
2-Ecards are another way to say "I love you" without saying it in person. There are many that are free or charge a relatively small yearly fee that offer tons of variety to choose from.
3-Stay connected with your friends and family that are close. Although it can be tempting for the long distance couple to stay on top of their phones and computers day after day, you should really carry on relationships with those who are person to person with you still. This will make the time fly by and these people will be a great source of support and companionship while you build the other relationship as well.
4-Keep up with your hobbies. You had interests prior to this love interest and it is not good to let them all go. Carry on your life.
5-Use this time to really get to know each other. Without having physical contact, you have the unique opportunity to spend your time falling in love with a whole person rather than a pretty face or a drop dead gorgeous body. This is a real plus if you end up sharing a life together at some point.
6-Telephones are a tool of the trade for long distance lovers. Speaking to one another, you will feel a deeper connection than email, but be careful because this can get expensive! Determine what works for both of you as far as when and how often you talk via phone.
7-Try to keep the end goal in sight. Remember that this is not forever. There will come a time when the two of you are together again, or for the first time, and it will be beautiful. You may appreciate each other more than those who have never had to endure distance and that can be a real benefit to you both.
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