The long distance relationship. Few people have good things to say about it, and that's understandable. You rarely, if ever, get to see your significant other, or SO in the flesh, and for those who worry about #SideChicks or similar, it's so easy to imagine your partner getting involved with things they shouldn't while you aren't there. There isn't technology yet to make long distance hugs a thing either, and touch starvation, according to science, is a very real phenomenon.

Yet despite all the negativity surrounding LDRs, they aren't going away anytime soon. I'm currently in a LDR with my boyfriend of six years, and I challenge the nay-sayers. While I certainly don't want to be in a long distance relationship for the rest of my life, there are some definite benefits to the LDR that you don't get in a relationship where you can see your SO anytime you'd like.

1. Nothing is routine when you get together.

When I visit my boyfriend, I never get tired of doing the "same-old, same-old". We can go out to dinner and catch a movie, or we can hang out at the mall and cruise Barnes and Noble. We can hang out with the other one's friends and play card games or D&D. Whatever it is, it's always a special occasion because just being together is a rare event - being able to hold hands is something to look forward to, and I never feel like my presence is being taken for granted. When you can look forward to just going to Starbucks with your SO, that's one of the best feelings in the world.

2. You get space to do your own thing.

I'm an introvert, and despite being 24, I often feel like I have to do a lot of soul-searching on my own in order to truly figure out what I want to do in life. I like having space to think, and make plans to solve problems at my own pace. All these things would be so much harder to do if I had my boyfriend constantly around, distracting me with plans for dates, or pressuring me into making life decisions before I'm ready. Don't get me wrong - even if we weren't in an LDR, he'd be an understanding and patient guy. But when you're trying to get something done, it can be somewhat difficult when Le Butcherettes are having a show and your SO really wants to go see them. Love can mess with your judgement, after all, so it's nice to be able to step back and see things clearly.

3. Avoid the annoy... at least for a while.

According to Cosmopolitan, those little quirks that you find charming in a SO become super annoying after three years into a relationship. However, being in a largely LDR has helped me build a strong relationship without being annoyed every time we go to Target because he HAS to see what new Star Wars items they have in the Toys section. And I bet he likes to watch movies without me laughing because the way they portray evolutionary science in the film is terribly, horribly wrong. (I'm looking at you, The Relic!) Again, if you're going to have a strong relationship, you'll have to learn to put up with your partner's quirks, but the LDR allows you to strengthen your relationship before you have to deal with their flaws day-to-day.

4. You have to practice your communication skills - and modern technology makes things so much easier.

I believe the secret to a good relationship is communication and honesty. There are so many discussions and arguments I've had with my SO where I chose to be upfront and open, and he's chosen to actively listen to what I have to say, and vice versa. A lot of that I credit to being in a LDR for a good chunk of time. When you can't do anything physical, the most intimate thing you can do with a partner is to speak from the heart, whether over Skype, through the phone, or yes, even texting. We send Snapchats of the dinners we cooked, or the albums we bought, and tell each other corny jokes over text. I forward him links to funny YouTube videos because I know he would appreciate it, and he does the same for me. It gets to the point where after 6 years, I still have people telling me they know when I answer one of my boyfriend's text because I light up like a Christmas tree.

5. It's a good way to test the relationship.

I don't believe in "testing" your SO. Messaging them through a catfish account or asking your friend to flirt with them isn't just manipulative, it's setting yourself up for hurt feelings and heartache. But if your SO isn't invested in you as you are in them, a LDR will not work. As I said earlier, these types of relationships are for people who want you for your heart and soul, not for your physical presence alone. They will have to make the effort to maintain contact, trust you, and let you be yourself - all things which make for a stronger relationship. LDRs are poison for relationships that are built on jealousy and control, but who wants that kind of relationship anyway?

All relationships are different, so a LDR will not be right for everyone. However, for me the LDR has allowed me to focus on the most important aspects of my relationship - not necessarily the hugs and kisses, but our dreams and goals, as well as the feelings we share for each other. And when we take the distance out of the equation, I know we have what it takes to keep our relationship standing strong.