A friend of mine recently expressed her deep love for her boyfriend to me, but also her extreme sadness at having to be apart:

This conversation inspired the poem you're about to read.

A Romantic and a Pragmatist walk into a bar,
They sit to have a drink and talk about their lives.
The Romantic is bemoaning that her lover is so far,
But the Pragmatist is over it so she very sternly chides:
“You make it seem like he’s so special, like he might be the only one,
But your plight is solely spatial and I’m really not a fan.
Were I you, I would just end it, no point crying or pretend it’s
Only possible to love that one, you’re still young just have some fun!”
But the Romantic just won’t have it, she is convinced 200%
That her lover who’s departed might just be heaven sent,
The Pragmatist just scoffs and raises up her glass,
“I don’t think that’s the right phrase, it might be hell-bent,
Hell-bent on trying to hold you, on everything that was.
He should go his way, while you go happily yours,
And if he comes around again, and you’ve tired of the bores,
Then maybe then you can restart, the little inkling in your heart,
If that time comes for you before you’re an old maid and he’s an old fart.”
The Romantic starts to giggle and sadly shakes her head,
“It must be sad to be so bitter, to think that love is dead.”
The Pragmatist indignant, starts to raise from her chair,
“I’m just real, I’m not bitter, I’m your friend, I’m not your sitter,
But please think a little more and please try to beware,
Your heart is much too precious and must be boarded up with care.”
The Romantic hugs the Pragmatist and whispers to her soul,
“I’m not afraid of being hurt, for a love that might be,
I’m more afraid of being cold, or someone that’s not me,
I’m not afraid of being left, or feeling like he lied,
I’m more afraid of learning nothing, having never tried.
But most importantly of all, I love to love and I treasure all the smiles,
And would I learn to love as deeply without kilometers or miles?
An easy love is a convenience, something joyful, something fun,
A love that grows despite the obstacles, as a result of all for one,
That type of love is not luck or chance... it can never be undone.”

I hope you enjoyed it, all you pragmatically hopeless romantics out there! With the rise of mobilization around the globe, the behemoth that is the travel and tourism industry, and a rapidly growing online dating community, it is not impossible for you to find love at first 1,000 miles. Long distance relationships can work if both parties are wholly committed to a future together, but also wholly committed to the future they have chosen for themselves. Enjoy being open to possibilities, be safe, and love love.