No one ever prefers a long distance relationship. Why would they? There’s no reason you would ever want to be away from someone you care about and someone you love. In some cases, though, you don’t have any other choice. That’s what happened with us.

I always knew we would both go to college, and those colleges would probably be different. I knew that someday we might have to be apart. Relationships require sacrifice just as much as they require commitment, and I knew that. But just thinking about potentially being miles apart is scary. No one wants to do it. If someone says they do, let's be real: They are probably lying.

It didn't become real until that moment he told me he chose his school; a university that just happened to be six hours from home. He was super excited to have made a decision and to be starting that new chapter in his life. Of course, I was elated, too. It's a big deal to be accepted into college, and it's even more fulfilling when you get accepted to the school of your dreams. I was happy to see him happy. Although, on the other hand, I was also feeling every other single emotion known to man. One minute, I was so proud of him and knew he was going to do amazing things. The next, in a weak moment, I was freaking out and crying to my mom. I’m being really honest here, and for those of you who have been through this, you understand. I was scared, but happy for him. I was excited, yet nervous.

I remember very vividly going to his graduation party and feeling overwhelmed. Everyone was wishing him good luck while I stood there and didn't really have much to say. I was too busy listening to every negative thought in my head. Like, "How are we going to do this? Will we be able to last? Are we really supposed to be together?" It was, and I can say this now, the worst thing I could do to myself. Surrounding myself with all those "worst outcome" situations and thoughts was just hurting me more.

As it started becoming more and more real, as he starting buying things for his dorm and meeting his roommate, the cynical attitudes I got from people just increased. From the beginning, it was “Why are you guys staying together?" or "Why don't you break up for a while?" -- that one really made me mad. I remember his friends also questioning why he was staying with me and wondering how could he have the "real college experience" with a girlfriend back home. I will never forget that. All the negativity surrounding the situation really started to take a toll on me, and our relationship was hurting from it too. I remember feeling like I was being sucked into those negative assumptions multiple times. I’m not too sure what made this happen, it was probably by grace of God, but one day I just put on my "big girl panties” and realized the truth. He was leaving, but that didn’t mean I was losing him. He was starting a new phase of his life, but he wasn’t leaving me out of it. I wasn’t going to let others' assumptions take over my reality. I had hope in us. I had hope that we both wanted to make our relationship work. I trusted him and he trusted me. The day he left for school was very hard, but to everyone who thought we would fail, you were wrong. Here we are, three years later, and we are still together.

For those of you in a long distance relationship now, I can honestly tell you that you can do it. It will make you stronger in the end. If you love someone, you make it work. It’s as simple as that. The days were long sometimes, and obviously I missed him constantly. That gut feeling you have when you miss someone you love is probably one of the worst feelings ever, and I never want to feel like that again. Thankfully we had the technology we did because it made things just a little easier.

I totally do believe now that absence does make the heart grow fonder. I have learned more about myself, my boyfriend, love and the importance of open communication within a relationship. I learned that I can live my own life and he can have his, but we can still be a couple. We learned how to communicate on a deeper level. We learned to make time for each other in the midst of very busy and opposite schedules. I think that because we survived a year apart, we could do anything. There’s something to be said for couples that survive tough situations like this. Remaining focused on the positives was part of what made us make it through. We knew it wasn't going to be forever.

I'm not saying this was easy; It totally sucked. But I wouldn't change it. I believe in us more today than ever. In the end, it is worth it. I learned to follow my gut and my heart -- probably one of the best lessons I have ever learned.