Now I know this sounds funny. How can a long distance relationship be not so long? It makes no sense, until you’ve been in one. Being only 40 minutes away, but not having the time to travel the distance.

My boyfriend is currently a senior in highschool, and I am a freshman at college. He still lives in our hometown, and I am living at my university. I am not far by some people’s definition. I can easily make a day trip home, if I only had time in my schedule.

So, here is where the problem arises. My boyfriend and I use to have very similar schedules. We both were in school at the same time, we had similar after school activities, and we both worked a couple times a week. Now that seems like a lot, but we still had plenty of time to be together every week. Now, we live out two completely different schedules.

He could be done with classes for the day, but I’m in class for another couple of hours. The time he works is the only free time I can usually scrounge together in a week.

So this is where the not so far, long distance part comes in. We aren’t distantly far, but we can be mentally far. We both are going through our own stresses, and sometimes we barely get to talk. I know that sounds melodramatic, but when you go from seeing someone everyday to every once in awhile it is a hard transition.

Facetime has been a great substitution, but it is nothing like having a conversation face to face. It is nothing like getting to watch dumb tv and just sit next to each other. Everytime I get to see him now, I try not to take it for granted. What once was part of my everyday life, turned into a sporadic event.

But, it’s not always a bad thing. We are learning how to be apart. It definitely isn’t ideal, but with him going off to school next year too this will be even more common. It is a bittersweet moment. We are both going to pursue what we love, but unfortunately they don’t fall into the same university. Yet, that is just how things work. To be together, we have to face some challenges.

First, it is responsibilites. I am starting the rest of my life. Everything I do is going to affect my progress to my dreams. On the other hand, he is just trying to fit all the pieces together. He needs to finish his college applications and make it to graduation. Next year he his going to go through the time I am experiencing now. I’m going to have to start my major courses, and I will have to start looking for job experiences.

Luckily, I know how he is going to feel along the way. I’ve gone through everything he is going through now. I know the stress and I know the work. But I can show him you can get through it. Look at me. I went through all the weird stresses of senior year, and here I sit making my way through college.

It definitely sucks to be away from the one you love, but it teaches to appreciate each other. I also get to support him in all his decisions, much like he did for me. Do I wish I didn’t have to be away? Yes, but I know in the end we will be stronger because of this.