I have been in a long distance relationship for almost a year now and I have learned a lot. I have grown individually and my boyfriend and I have grown closer and stronger together.

I made a Google Forms and got 12 responses, and here is what these long-distance couples had to say.

The hardest part...

The obvious reasoning:

"This may sound obvious, but not getting to see your SO on a regular basis. It's even harder when you watch non-long-distance couples around you get to be together on a regular, sometimes daily basis."

When they need you:

"The hardest part is probably the most obvious: being so far away. When the other is sick or sad or hurting, it's the hardest thing to not be able to be there in person for them."

The little things:

"Not being able to do the simple physical things like a handholding or a hug or a kiss on the cheek. it's the little things that you miss the most."

The daily tasks:

"Not doing the little day to day tasks or enjoying the little giggles throughout the day together."

The most rewarding part...

Finally being together:

"Even after keeping communication for months it feels so good to just be. Be together in their arms and be able to talk to them without typing it out first. It's something we take for granted far too often until you're LD (long distance.)"

It's like the first time:

"Knowing your love is strong enough to overpower the distance. Getting the same exciting feeling as when you first met, every single time you get to see them."

The bonding:

"I feel like you actually bond more because the distance makes you miss them so much."

The time together:

"It makes the time you spend together that much more special and important."

If you're reading this and think that long distance is too much and you can't do it...breathe. Reading other people's perspectives on long distance only made me feel better and happy that I'm in the relationship that I'm in. I felt every single thing these people said about their different relationships and it made my heart ache and butterflies to fill my tummy at the same time.

Don't end a relationship because you're scared and don't think you can survive the distance. Here is living proof that it is possible and that you can only grow as a person and as a couple.