“Sure, there’s the loneliness, the longing, the enormous phone bills. But have you really lived if you’ve never searched for your beloved’s face at an airport gate?” – Meghan Daum
If given the choice, I would never be apart from my husband and in a long distance relationship (LDR) again. Been there, done that. See, my husband and I were already were in one–and kicked butt while doing so, if I might add. 😉
Over the years, I’ve had people, some of whom were also in long distance relationships and some who were just interested, ask me how I did it. There is no simple answer, especially because every relationship is different (you know your relationship best). What I can wholeheartedly tell you is it will take a lot of quality communication, effort, trust, and love.
Before I jump into my advice about whether to pursue a long distance relationship, I want to let you know I am [cautiously] optimistic by nature. I try my best to view the glass half full and to find the good in every situation. And I am a hopeless romantic. I chose to enter into a long distance relationship when I met my husband and I chose to continue when he moved thousands of miles away. I chose to do so because I loved him too much to simply give up due to some distance.
If the prospect of an LDR is the current reality you’re facing, and you have strong feelings for your partner, I’m here to tell you to go for it. Follow your heart. Stop doubting. Take a leap of faith.
It’s okay.
It’s okay — and very possible — to fall in love with someone who lives far, far away. Let yourself. Yes, there will be tears and lonely nights. But I promise it will be one of, if not THE most romantic, passionate love stories you can ever be a part of.
Now, unfortunately, I’m no relationship guru or fortune teller. The reality is your relationship might not work out. (If that happens, I’m truly sorry.)
But my goodness, it might. It just might.
And then one day, you’ll wake up everyday next to your partner just like you’d dreamed of. You’ll live together. Get married, if you so choose. Maybe start a family. All in the same place, in the same city, in the same state, in the same country as one another.
And you’ll look back on those LDR days and you’ll feel like together, your partnership can conquer anything. You’ll feel stronger because of those days and have a solid foundation because of them, too. Because if you can live without your love most days of your dating days and succeed, together, you can overcome a lot.
After all, you’re together. Together, after all.
This post was inspired by my most recent post and my very own love story, which just happens to be my favorite.