In this day and age it's not crazy to hear that a couple met online. If anything, it's the new norm. There are so many social media networks for people to meet and connect so it’s almost impossible not to meet someone new even if they are thousands of miles away. It could be someone that you’re cool with, a friend, or even a relationship. Out of all the connections one can make, maintaining a relationship that’s long distance is probably the hardest.

As most people have seen on t.v., at least once, the popular reality show called “Catfish”. Now, granted, this show is about finding out if someone is real or a “catfish” (faking their true identity) but all the people are in long distance relationships. They are willing to be in a long distance relationship with someone they’ve never met or even seen. So clearly, distance isn’t a factor in the way they feel or their want to be in a relationship. For those people, their feelings and love for that particular person is enough, but for others it just isn’t enough.

Being with someone that’s not near you can be tough and hard to cope with. You want to spend time with them even if it just means hanging out or chillin at home with each other. Being in their presence and just having them around is what people enjoy most about their significant other, but it’s difficult to do when they’re a few hours away. So for the people that are in long distance relationships, I have a few pros for you that, I hope, will make you view the distance a little easier:

• Your feelings are genuine. Being away from that special someone means all you have been able to do is communicate, verbally. So through every text and phone call, you learn about that person and your feelings for them grow deeper. You know how that person makes you feel is genuine.
• Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Not being around your love can be really hard, but knowing that when you see them again will be amazing makes it worth it. The time you spend together will be even more cherished and valued because it is sacred.
• If you can survive the distance, you can survive anything. If the distance is your biggest obstacle in your relationship, it’s a piece of cake. Making it through not being with the one you love will only be a small hurdle to get over with your significant other.
• Both of you are equally committed and your communication is effective. By being in a long distance relationship you are both 100% committed to each other and making it work. Your feelings are real and you’re willing to go the distance for love. Also, your communication is on point! You’d have no other way to talk to and get to know your significant other if your communication wasn’t effective and consistent. Brownie points for you!
• The relationship is more than physical. Being apart from each other and not being able to be physical just proves that your relationship isn’t just about that. Your relationship is real and so are your feelings. You’re really, actually in a relationship.

So, hopefully, if you can check off at least three of the five pros listed above, your relationship can stand the distance. Congrats!