They're beyond worth it, I promise
When I first met my boyfriend in Ireland, yes Ireland of all places, I just had the feeling that this felt right. He lived in Texas and I lived in Michigan, and I knew that obviously nothing was going to come from a 10 day trip in a foreign country. When we went our separate ways I was convinced that this was going to be like what happens when you meet new friends at summer camp. You talk, stay in contact for like the first month, and then after a while when your life gets back to normal you end up losing contact. That wasn't the case with him and I, we FaceTimed and talked the ENTIRE summer. We basically formed a relationship over the internet, but I was surprisingly okay with it. When I started telling my friends about him, I knew that they thought I was crazy, and some of them probably were questioning if he even existed! We started college together, me trying to be a speech therapist but later on realizing that it was not my path, and him being a studio arts major. There was talk of me going to Texas over Christmas break, but I KNEW that my mother would think I was crazy and not let me fly across the country to see a guy she had never even met. To my surprise, she was okay with it! It was settled, I would fly to see him in December over Christmas break. My mind was going in a million different directions. I knew how I felt about him, and I actually wanted to try long distance. When I thought about us, the miles between us seemed so small compared to our relationship. As the semester went on our relationship started to grow even more, and we became closer than I ever thought imaginable. December came around and I had to finish exams, but I knew it was smooth sailing to Texas afterward. The day was here! I finally got to see the boy I've been staring at through a screen for six months. When I saw him for the first time, I knew. I knew that I was not going to be able to leave Texas a single lady, and I didn't. We started our relationship on January 4th, and it has been the best experience of my life and I couldn't be more blessed to be loved by someone like him.
Why are they worth it?
You always see that LDR are just pointless, and a lot of "you're never going to last.." etc. They are anything but pointless, and actually LDRs are SO much better because if your relationship can last when there's 1,500 miles in between you and him, your relationship can last through anything. YES, you do miss them every single second of every single day and it sucks when you want nothing more than a hug from you boyfriend, but it's so worth it. Knowing that someone so far away loves you more than anything and that your relationship has so much TRUST within it that you can stand being separated for so long are amazing feelings all on their own. Ryan and I only see each other about every 6 months, and for the week (or so) that we do see one another, it is honestly the best few days of my life. Because we are separated for so long, it's like when you see each other again you're falling in love all over again, and getting to experience what all the other "normal" couples experience daily and it is so exhilarating. Time is so precious when you're with your SO that you never want to waste a second, and why would you even try? Whether it be 50 miles or 1,500, you're still separated and it can have different effects on different couples. What really matters is how you handle it!
One of the biggest things for me in my LDR is that our relationship is built on emotions and the times you see each other at 5 a.m. with messy hair after a long day when you want nothing more than each other. A lot of relationships are based on how physical you are with one another, but you know that if the foundation of your relationship can be built on emotions that the physical aspect will just be a bonus. Independence, I am not by any means an independent person but this has taught me how to be. I am not dependent on him for my happiness and I know that I have to create it on my own because he isn't here for me to bombard with my emotional self (lol) You also never have to worry about dipping out on your friends to see your boyfriend, because well he isn't here, but you can bet that you will be at dinner with your friends and will make sure to answer his FaceTime call.
Honestly, it all comes down to what you're willing to put in, is what you'll get out. Thank God I am a fantastic communicator, because I believe that is one of the keys to holding a successful LDR. Relationships aren't a one way street, whether you're sitting right next to the person or wishing you could be, it just doesn't work like that. You have to always remember that you have to put in as much effort into your relationships no matter the distance, and that your SO should also be doing the same. For those of you in an LDR, I know it can be tough sometimes, but remember the distance is only temporary and that you can do this! It's all worth it in the end!
