After my first failed long distance relationship, I decided to never entertain the idea of another one. The heartache was too much to bear, the effort seemed pointless and I didn’t feel like I had the willpower to put myself in the same situation again. This feeling didn’t last, and I decided to give it another try a few years later. During my second failed long distance relationship, I was hurt one too many times to feel like the distance was worth staying together. I had given up on the idea of long distance relationships, to say the least, and again vowed to never try again.

Following this, I decided to keep any future relationships during college at an arm’s length to avoid the heartache and pain of long-distance relationships. Although I would be around for months and only travel twice a year, it felt like too big of a commitment to make.

Yet, something changed the third time. We were friends for months because I knew the possibility of long distance was one I didn’t want to entertain again, but you instilled a certainty in me from the first day, that this time would be different, and you were confident it would work out.

I guess it’s true, the third time’s a charm.

When we finally started dating, it didn’t phase you that I was leaving one month later for study abroad and that I would be gone for four months. Even after I came back, you knew I’d be traveling overseas every few months to visit my family, but you knew we’d be alright. Since my time studying abroad, the times we’ve spent apart have gotten shorter, but the goodbyes have gotten no less painful.

In the nearly eighteen months we’ve been together, I’ve learned valuable lessons from our temporary periods of long distance.

I’ve come to appreciate you as a person and the time we spend together.

It’s not easy between being together for a long time and then suddenly being apart. I appreciate every moment we spend together, knowing the time goes by in the blink of an eye. I always try and make the most of our shared time, with the knowledge we’ll be talking again over Skype soon enough.

With this, I’ve learned how to communicate. When we’re in the same city, it’s easy enough to hop on the train and see each other to talk things out. We are also able to rely on cues we only get through personal interactions. When we’re apart though, things change. Since we can’t rely on face-to-face cues to know how the other is feeling, I’ve learned to be straightforward in my communication.

Not only have I come to appreciate you more, I’ve learned to understand you better.

In my opinion, distance reveals a person’s true nature and their commitment to a relationship.

You’ve shown me unwavering trust and dedication, and in turn, I’ve come to see these qualities reflected in who you are as a person. The distance has never phased you and you’ve been a rock through the hard times we’ve endured apart. I’ve come to see who you truly are, and I think the distance illuminated your wonderful character.

Being apart does make the heart grow fonder.