Being in a long-distance relationship is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. It takes trust, communication and determination. People believe that most long-distance relationships don't work, and while that may be true, some do last. The strong and determined individuals in the right relationship can make anything work. Long-distance relationships aren't like the movies where you see each other every weekend or never fight. But in a way, they are like the movies with the connection you and your significant other develop. You have to learn how to read each other through text messages and phone calls. You have to learn how to talk about issues bothering you over the phone. Being in a long-distance relationship is an experience like no other.
Long distance isn't for everyone or every relationship. All your friends are talking about their Valentine's Day dinner plans, and all you can think about is your Skype dinner date with your significant other. Your friends are talking about date nights spent with their significant other watching movies, and all you can think about is you and your significant other watching a movie at the same time over the phone together. You often get those questions of "Are you and your significant other still together?" because you don't get to post pictures on social media all the time.
A real long-distance relationship isn't Skype dates every night or seeing each other every other weekend. A real long-distance relationship isn't fun, and it doesn't get easier after a couple times of leaving each other. A real long-distance relationship isn't your significant other answering every time you call because you failed your test and need someone to talk to. You're both busy and have your own lives, your own friends and your own goals. And while I think being your own person and being independent of your significant other is one of the most important qualities in a relationship, it is difficult when sometimes you feel as if this might be the only quality you and your significant other have in common because you do lead two different lives.
Even though long-distance relationships are very difficult, they also bring on many amazing things. They bring on random flower deliveries. They bring on weekends together for socials full of dates and movie nights. They bring on Skype dates and phone calls till someone falls asleep, and that's usually me. They bring on amazing moments of being reunited after months apart. They bring on deep conversations about life and randomness at 3 a.m. when you both can't sleep. They bring good morning texts and good night phone calls. They bring on growth. Growth as an individual and in your relationship. You have room to grow and to develop. You have room to follow your dreams no matter how long or how far away they take you.
Long-distance relationships, while most people swear they will never get into one, can be the most beneficial experience for a couple. There are hard times of missing your significant other, but there is also an amazing connection formed from only being able to communicate through Skype or on the phone. At the time, you might only be thinking about how many date nights you've missed out on, but if you can make it through long distance, there are many more date nights to come.
