When I got into the Disney College Program, my coworkers at my old work asked me,

“What’s Richard going to do? Is he coming with you?”

“No,” I responded. “He’s going to stay. We’re going to have to do the long-distance thing for a while.”

“You’re going to break up.”

The other chimed in.

I just stared. I tried not to take it to heart. I knew my relationship. We would make it! I just knew it. I tried my best not to stress about it or to worry, but it was proving difficult. It put the worry in my mind. Was he right? Would we break up? I always had the unwavering faith that we would always make it through everything, but now that the time was growing close. I started to wonder, would we?

The worry began to grow. I began to bring it up to him, more and more. I became very insecure. He would try to calm me, saying he was in it for the long haul. But hearing it wasn’t enough. Here he was strong, and calm and here I was an absolute nervous wreck. It made me question myself and whether or not I even deserved this relationship with him. As rocky as it was at times, I began to realize that what we had mattered.

I was what he wanted, if not he would not have been with me. I started to feel more at ease and looked forward to and made the most of the time I did get to spend with him. We drove and went to Disneyland by ourselves the day before I moved into my apartment and it was the most amazing and magical last day with him I could have imagined.

Believe that a long-distance relationship can work. What matters is the effort that both of you put in. Do not listen to anyone that tells you no long-distance relationships last. Yours may or may not, but what is meant to be will last. I am going to give you some quick tips on my experience thus far with a long-distance relationship, hopefully, it can give you some help or peace of mind.

1. Keep in Contact

Connection is key to a relationship. A relationship absolutely cannot survive without some form of contact. If you are unable to physical see each other, you need to be in contact with them. In the 21^st century, this is not hard.

The world is at your fingertips always, and that means your partner is too. A quick text throughout the day, a phone call or Skype call at night is not hard. You make it a priority to check your Twitter and Facebook throughout the day, your S.O. should be in those priorities as well.

2. Don’t Smother Your Partner

Yes. I just got through telling you that bae is at your fingertips always. Doesn’t mean you should contact him or her always. There needs to be some space between you two. You are apart for a reason, and that reason likely being so that one or both of you can grow.

You need to give the other room to grow, your relationship will follow. Plus you want something that you can talk about when you do get to chat, you won’t have that if you are constantly talking to them. As Richard likes to say, “I can’t miss you if you don’t leave.”

3. Try to Speak At Least Once a Week

This does not include a quick “goodnight/good morning” text. You should check in with each other every day if possible. But try to make a phone call or video chat at least once a week.

I can tell you that hearing their voice or seeing their face after a long day or week is one of the most comforting things you can experience when you are so far away. It is a good way to make sure the two of you stay involved. If possible, try to call more than once a week, but try your best to make the effort at least once a week if you are super busy

4. Make Plans to See Each Other

Try to make actual visits and set dates for you to look forward to. Not only does it give you something to count on, it makes time go by a little faster. Suddenly 7 months turns into a month until you can see them again.

5. Send Pictures

Back to the world at your fingertips. You have a camera in there. Send some goofy pictures and send snapshots of the stuff you are doing. Keep each other involved it’s a good, fun way to send a quick update.
Again, it feels nice to see their face and not only is it a comfort, it is a good way to feel as if you are a continued part of their daily life. Richard never liked Snapchat, but we have used it much more frequently since I moved. It is something good to have when you are doing the distance thing.

6. Write Letters

I am stupidly old-fashioned and romantic. This is a good way to help time fly because it is something to look forward to while you wait for the letter to come. It says, “I took the time to think about you and do something to make you feel special.”

It also brings a piece of them with it. They don’t necessarily have to be front-of-the-line, off-to-revolutionary war love letters. My first letter to him was found in Target when I saw a card that had a funny saying on it. I filled it with puns and sent it on its way.

7. Remember the Little Things

When you find yourself missing them and you can’t get in contact with them immediately. Remember the moments that made you smile or the little things that you love about them.

Maybe it’s the time you rode Splash Mountain five times in a row for the pictures or maybe it’s the way their nose crinkles when they watch TV. I find that these are the things that make me smile and let me feel like I am with him. It helps me not to feel so alone.

8. Don't Forget to Say I Love You

Try to do this at least once a day. It never hurts to remind them. Even if you know that they love you, sometimes you still find yourself in bed at night convinced that you aren’t worth all this distance.

A simple “I love you” is a nice way to put their mind at ease that they are still thinking about you.

9. Trust Them

Relationships can go nowhere without trust. Trust that you are still and always will be the one from hundreds maybe even thousands of miles away. You have lots of time to yourself, just an inkling of paranoia can stretch itself into the most elaborate of suspicion (valid or invalid).

Rest your mind and trust that you are the one because they did choose to go the distance with you. You are the one they chose, don’t let your head ruin it for you.

10. Confidence Is Key

Again, this goes back to trust. Be confident that yes you are the one they chose. They want to work this out with you. Be confident that at the end of the day they are a phone call away and the one you come back to after the events of your day.

Don’t be afraid to let loose and have fun and don’t be afraid for them to let loose and have fun. Chances are when you are thinking of them and missing them, they are doing the same, so don’t forget that.

11. Communicate Your Feelings

If you ever feel uncomfortable or upset with something they have done, tell them. Do not let it fester. You are by yourself and that is the perfect time for your mind to take things and run.

Get it out in the open and talk it through. Do not allow yourself the time to overthink it.Communication is key in this situation, so utilize it.

12. Cherish the Time You Do Get

13. Remember They Chose You and You Chose Them Too

There isn’t much else to say other than this. Remember who the two of you and remember that you can make it through anything with enough dedication, commitment, and most of all, love.