Long distance relationships (LDR's) are becoming more prevalent in today's society. Since we are all interconnected via the internet, this has made it possible to meet people from all around the world without ever traveling to the same location as them. What happens when you fall in love with one of these people, possibly hundreds of miles away from you?
For starters, anyone who is in a long distance relationship knows that it is not easy. LDR's can be of all sorts: there are those who go to separate schools, live in different states or countries, or even have a significant other in the military. With this, there are definitely unique problems that arise during an LDR that usually aren't experienced in relationships where both individuals are in close proximity to one another.
One of the most difficult issues is not being able to see your significant other for days or even months at a time. I personally have gone almost an entire year without being able to reunite with my soon to be wife.
A good way to alleviate this is by setting aside time to spend with each other as often as possible. It may seem obvious to spend time with your significant other, but when that means sitting on the phone or watching movies together online, it's easy to overlook as it doesn't require you to be with them. Calling each other before bed, setting up a time to facetime while working on homework, even just texting each other and playing silly games like 20 questions are fantastic ways to make sure both people feel included and not forgotten as loneliness can creep up.
In keeping up with the theme of technology being able to interconnect us from all over the world, there are also many different apps that help keep LDR couples in touch and having fun!
One of the app's my girlfriend and I use is, "Couple." The name is pretty straightforward, and it's a cute way to sort of scrapbook your best conversations. This app works by having a couple enter the information about the relationship, such as the anniversary date, partner's birthday, being able to draw with each other in real time, and thumb kiss (a thumb kiss is putting your finger on the screen and showing your partner where it is so they can put it in the same spot too, once you hold it for three seconds the screen flashes pink and vibrates, a kiss.)
There are many more that provide fun interaction between you and your long distance lover, you just have to look for what fits your needs! One other item I suggest is a website titled Cytube. It's basically a multiplayer Youtube website. You can both go into a "room" and request a youtube video. It will then play that video in the room and everyone in the room watches it in real time with a chat function.
True love can overcome any obstacle; it's cheesy but true. Always try your best to make the most of your situation. Being far apart doesn't mean you have to ignore each other and distance yourselves even more. Plan out a perfect day for when you reunite, talk about your favorite foods, and even discuss some plans for the future.
Long distance doesn't last forever, and it's important to remember that one day you will be together and have all the time in the world. The true key to surviving an LDR is to be honest, romantic, and learn to compromise.
