Long Distance relationships. We love them, we hate them, we often praise (or pity) those involved in them.

My boyfriend and I have been long distance for a majority of our 2 year relationship, with him living in the great state of Texas and me currently residing in Boise. Many people ask us the secret to our relationship normally in the form of "How can you manage that???? I don't think I could ever do that!" Well people its hard, but its so worth it.

I get to make a big deal out of every little visit and it always feel like Christmas when I see him. We get to go do new things together all the time when we visit each other, like concerts or random road trips. Dull, mundane tasks like going to the grocery store are fun because we get to go together. Once we met up in Vegas for a George Strait concert and it was the best weekend I had that month. Anytime we see each other it's like everything else goes away and all is right in the world.

We get to talk about everything and even the little things are something to hold on to. Communication is key in any relationship. We Facetime all the time as well as snapchat each other as we go about our days. When we have a problem we have to fix it, there is no room for passive aggressive attitudes. We have to say what we mean the first time and not throw it in the "I said this but I mean this" blender. You also have to pick your fights, arguments over nothing are just pointless wastes of typing or minutes. If there is an argument that starts over text, someone usually calls the other one and we sort it out faster that way instead of text misinterpretation.

We get to become our own independent selves as well as a better couple. Many couples in college seemingly disappear off the face of the Earth according to their friends. While we have those moments when we are together, we also get to go experience new things and be completely supportive of each other. I left for two weeks to go teach an outdoor education camp where there was zero signal and we survived it. There is nothing better then telling him about something I did during the day that was exciting and him telling me he is proud of me. We also get the fun of planning our future together after graduation.

A main concern people have for me is intimacy or the lack of. I normally get asked "Wouldn't you like it better if you could your boyfriend every day?" or "How do you do that? I am such a physical person. I'd be too tempted." Well duh. I'd love to be able to get hugs and kisses whenever I wanted but I cant right now. As for the temptation, imagine you really want something sweet. You get a plate of subpar cookies set in front of you, you are told you can either eat these okay-ish cookies now or you can wait for a while and you are guaranteed to have the best cookies you have ever had. Would you give in to the craving for 5 seconds of satisfaction or wait and have the best cookies of your life? 5 seconds of satisfaction isn't worth what could be a lifetime of happiness.

All in all, Long Distance relationships are hard. There is no sugar coating it. Not seeing someone you love every day sucks. In the end though, it is all worth it. I cannot wait to be able to move home and spend the rest of our lives together.