One of the most amazing things about the human race is the way that different people from all different backgrounds develop these deep bonds with other people that they grow to love and cherish, and it is because of these bonds that we experience that psychosomatic response everyone tries to bury under false pretenses called “homesickness.” We want to be close to those that we love, no matter what “home” may be, but that sense of homesickness can often be unavoidable, especially in long-distance relationships.
His Perspective:
Fortunately enough, my girlfriend and I have found a pretty ingenious way around that. This summer, we have made it through a few different seasons of some of her (and of course, now some of my) favorites shows on Netflix, and all we have had to do is get a Skype call going. We don’t have to go for weeks on end without seeing each other’s faces, we just have to get online. In addition, I found a program, or rather a Google Chrome extension, called Showgoers, which in essence allows you to create viewing parties for all of your Netflix binge-watching pleasure.
While
It is always nice to be in the same room and be able to sit next to
each other, Showgoers is a great backup, and it lets me find out why the
heck Christina is such an ass, and if Meredith ever finds a man that is
going to treat her with the respect she so desperately deserves (my
fingers are crossed and I am hoping that man is George: he can get his
Meredith if I can get mine). Did I mention we’ve been watching "Grey’s
Anatomy?"
Her Perspective:
I'm no stranger to long distance relationships: many of my girlfriends are in that situation three-fourths of the year (or even the whole year). I'm extremely lucky to not be in that situation, and that my relationship is only long-distance stretches across the summer months. However, it's extremely difficult, as one may expect, to be away from my best friend, who also happens to be my boyfriend.
Just because we’re 250 miles away from each other, however, doesn’t mean we don’t spend our nights together watching TV or the next movie on our “To Watch” list. Technology has become a God-send. Like Henry mentioned before, streaming programs and Skype have made it easier for us to see each other’s faces and spend time together on a regular basis. Even though I would love to watch whatever we’re watching together physically, this is a close second, and I’m glad it exists.
When we’re not on Skype, we’re usually texting each other throughout the day, whether it be a complaint of how stupid drivers can be, or just a smiling emoji.
Whenever I’m out shopping, and I see something that reminds me of him, or I think he would like, I let him know.
I’ve also gotten into the habit of sending snail mail to my friends this summer -- while we may be constantly communication via text, having that handwritten note sent in the mail is always exciting (who doesn’t love getting mail?), and it adds another level of expression that doesn’t happen over text. I’ve also been working on a care package of sorts to send up to Henry.
The “system” that Henry and I have worked out over the past two summers prevents me from missing him more than I would if we didn’t have regular Skype dates or phone calls. My experience is that you can’t just give up because you can’t see your significant other on a daily basis -- it’s an ongoing effort, and being creative is a necessity. Long-distance relationships are difficult -- I’m not trying to downplay that at all, but there are ways to still make it work and keep things exciting. Besides, there’s still nothing better than counting down the days until you’ll see each other again and actually being reunited.
