After about a year of a long-distance relationship that ended horribly, I told myself I would never do that again. I learned my lesson, and I would only be dating people who lived near me.

Big surprise, I found myself in a long distance relationship once again.

Long distance relationships have some interesting perks to them. We are the closest we've ever been, and we've learned so much about each other and our strengths. It's tough to be on your own in a new place, but when you have a support system waiting for you at the end of every day it's a bit easier to deal with. He is so understanding of me, and is always asking questions. We've started asking more pertinent questions about the future, and we goof off.

One of the best things that we've done is completely be ourselves. Other than my family and my two best friends I've never truly opened up with someone and shown my true colors. With him I couldn't see it any other way. There's no pretense, and there's no worry. He accepts me for everything, and I accept him for everything.

This being said, long distance is the worst. When you can't get a pick me up hug and kiss, or cuddle up and watch a movie, or go explore the area in Orlando and use the Disney tickets I've slowly been amassing it's heartbreaking. It hurts quite a bunch, especially when you're in a place with no family nearby.

I've thought back to my longest relationship and compared it and can see how different I am, and how unbelievably better my relationship is now. I don't have to worry about infidelity, I don't have to worry about immaturity, and I don't have to worry about the future. The really crazy part is that I miss him more than I've ever missed someone in my life, but I guess that's what happens when you're in love.

I've spent the last four months in Orlando, FL while my best friend and love of my life has been in Dudley, MA finishing up his last semester of college. I don't really know where the last four months have gone, I just remember each day away a little bit harder to get up out of bed and go to work in the happiest place on earth. I remember crying just about once a week on Skype and feeling like the most emotional person in the world. This whole time I've been lucky enough to have an understanding boyfriend who cares about me and loves me enough to be with me through the distance and my, quite honestly, unnecessary amount of sobbing.

I wish I could say that when I get home from this program I'm through with long-distance relationships, but the sad truth is that I will probably be at least an hour away from the love of my life for quite some time. Regardless, I know that it's worth it. Every Skype date, every text message, every phone call, all of the tears; it's all worth it. When you find the person that's worth it don't let them go. No matter how much it hurts, no matter how much you cry, just hold on. There's always a countdown somewhere, there's always an extra surprise trip you can take, there's always a way.