I've heard many people say that having a long-distance relationship is very strenuous and difficult. Whether it is a close relationship with a friend, family member, or a significant other; a wall is placed between two people who genuinely care and love one another. This wall can seem impossible to climb because it is putting a wedge in your relationship that seems impossible to overcome. This wedge is pulling your relationship apart because you are not physically able to be there for that loved one. You cannot simply wrap your arms around this person and reassure them that everything will be OK. This wall seems to grow taller and stronger as the days pass by. This wall is something that tears relationships apart time and time again. You cannot see the value of this now failing relationship because you are so focused on the rugged wall that stands between the two of you. This robust wall is something that we fear most. Distance.
However, being thankful for the distance allows you to embrace the indestructible wall that stands between you and a loved one.
"I'm not afraid of distance because it is the one thing that challenges love and tests our relationships in life. Distance is a validation."
It's very strange to hear someone say that they are happy, even thankful, for the distance in a relationship. If you truly cared for someone, you would never want something to challenge that relationship, especially distance. However, my own experience has taught me that distance is one of the best things that can happen in a friendship or relationship.
Being away from someone that you care about is one of the most difficult and trying situations that can test any relationship. However, under the unfortunate circumstance that distance must introduce itself into a relationship, fighting to lessen this gap and decrease the distance between a loved one can hold you back from other experiences and adventures that are soon to come. Without this distance, it is as if you refuse to thrive and grow as individuals and as people. When we finally embrace the wall that is forcing a relationship apart, we being to realize that distance is nothing short of a blessing from God.
Distance can be our best friend that makes us stronger and allows us to love others more deeply. This gap between a loved one allows us to build our own lives outside of one another. We are able to jump into a vast ocean of opportunity and experiences. We take more chances in life and begin to realize that this wall has allowed both of you to thrive and develop as independent people. You are able to build a solid foundation for yourself that makes you an individual who is optimistic and humble.
When we take the time to realize that distance allows us to grow and learn more about who we can be, we are able to make our relationship irreplaceable. It isn't selfish to say that distance is a good thing because we are allowing ourselves to grow and improve our lives as different people. We can take these new opportunities and experiences and flourish into more mature, eloquent human beings. When two people in a relationship take the time to work on themselves, their bond becomes even stronger. We are able to come together and share our growth and experiences to allow this connection to be unbreakable. When we constantly work to better ourselves and accept that distance allows us to focus on our individual downfalls and failures, we develop a deeper appreciation and respect for our loved one.
I've come to realize that being thankful for distance isn't a bad thing. The wall that stands between me and loved ones isn't a wall that destroys my relationships. This wall may always stand between me and those that I care about who are far away, but this wall protects me from becoming mediocre and content with being ordinary. This wall pushes me to experience more things and reach beyond my comfort zone in order to make my relationship indestructible. We are able to grow together and share the excitement of reaching our goals while becoming more mature young adults. Distance has brought us closer together because we've embraced the wall and decided to continue to thrive and grow in our own environment.
"Our comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there."
