"Do you think we can date?"

The words of a hopeless romantic escaped her sooner than she could stop them. The thoughts of a realist echoed in Asia, while possibilities were being pondered in Europe. It was a form of broken telepathy. Perhaps they were two star-crossed lovers. Maybe they were not. Cambodia, five hours ahead of Sweden, would slowly result in a lot of sleep debt. Then, progressively, a relationship began to form.

“I just want an answer.”

She got it. It was a yes.

They were hopeful in giving what they had a chance. Long distance relationships are idealized in today's world. We think of meeting a stranger for the summer. We have romanticized long distance. We have done it so much that it has slowly lost its magic. However, there are people who make us hopeful. There are couples who encourage us and display the true essence of what love is. Love: it is felt by many. There is no clear definition of what love is. Love can be a feeling that keeps you going. Or it can be one that sends you crashing down. Love may result in relationships.

Sopheap and Seth Newton were once unknown to each other. That changed in July of 2011. They met in Cambodia, when Sopheap's friend had bumped into Seth on the busy streets of Siem Reap. The closest city to Angkor, the heart and soul of Cambodia and source of fierce national pride, was where history began for these two. The battles of visit visas, Green Cards, apartments or transportation—they were struggles that these two were ready to take on together.

Complete strangers from entirely different worlds had just found a lot in common: curiosity. They were travelers, and slowly began to see the world together. With Seth—far from his home, Arizona—pursuing his PhD in Sweden, Sopheap was his light and source of encouragement.

Sopheap mentioned here that she was really pleased Seth got his haircut. She joked about not being attracted to his long hair. It wasn't her thing, is what she said.

One of the biggest perks of long distance relationships has to be exploration. When flying in and out of different continents, curiosity begins to seep in. The wanderlust eats at the mind, and slowly but surely, you begin to see the world.

The ball is finally rolling! Sopheap got her visit visa! In January of 2012, Sopheap visited Seth in Sweden for 3 months. It was a new experience for both of them. They had never lived with a partner before, and it was great. Three months later, Sopheap went back to Cambodia. They took three months off to figure their relationship out. Once those three months elapsed, they realized how deep into it they both were.

They got back together. Their relationship grew stronger than ever. If you love someone, let them go, right?

She was finally able to visit Seth's parents in Arizona! They traveled around the States together and had a ball. They had a lot in common with the Golden Gate Bridge. They were always in suspension, always interconnected on opposite ends of the world.

On this one random day in 2014, Seth and Sopheap had gone for a walk in Sweden. Seth thought back to when Sopheap talked about three years being her relationship limit. She warned him, a long time ago, that in three years, she would need absolute certainty. They got engaged in May 2014. They went to get rings together, got married in July of 2014. They later had a beautiful wedding in Cambodia in the summer of 2014.

Call this a long distance relationship, international love, or whatever it may be. These two are guiding stars and sources of light and encouragement. In spite of all their challenges, distance, they have come out stronger than ever. It's not easy, but it's worth it.

In July of 2016, here in North Carolina, they are expecting a new challenge. The greatest one of all: a baby girl.

Welcome to North Carolina, you two. We look forward to meeting your little girl.