I went to college with really no intention of getting a boyfriend, especially not within the first few months of college -- and especially not one who lives 3,000 miles away from me when classes aren’t in session. Of course, neither of us really took that into consideration when we first started dating. The realization of the extensive amount of miles between us only hit after we had experienced it for a few weeks. Between the three-hour time difference (I’m from Hershey, Penn. and he is from Seattle, Wash. -- go figure) and the sheer distance that stood between us, we were finally able to understand the “long distance is hard” and “long distance causes so much stress” stereotypes.

As absolutely cliché as it sounds, breaking up was not an option for either of us. Despite the frustration and anxiousness that stemmed from this long distance romance, we were committed to making it work. Believe me when I say that it was by no means easy; but it was 100% worth it.

The anticipation is amazing.

Imagine the butterflies you get in your stomach before going into an interview, multiple that by 100 and you have the exact feeling you get when you finally see your partner after a long time apart. Seeing the person you love for the first time in a long time is like falling in love all over again. It’s perfect and amazing and solidifies every feeling of love you have for this person.

As bittersweet as all the goodbyes are, the feeling you get when you embrace after a period apart never goes away.

Time spent together is more treasured.

When you see someone every day, you tend to take your time with them for granted, even if that isn’t your intention. There are always thoughts of “I can see you tomorrow” or “we can go do that together next week” that cause a lot of people in relationships to do just that -- put time together off.

However, when there is a timestamp on how long you are able to spend with your significant other, you treasure every possible second. You schedule a packed week full of fun, couple-type things to do, go out on romantic dates and even appreciate the down time that you spend together watching movies or going on walks.

Every second counts when you know you will have to say goodbye and start the countdown to the next time you see each other all over again. This makes the time spent together even more special.

You get accustomed to new places.

What other reason would I have to go to Seattle other than to visit my boyfriend? Realistically, I probably never would have traveled from Pennsylvania to Seattle just to see the Space Needle or try some original Starbucks coffee! But because that’s where my boyfriend lives, I got to experience the place that he calls home from an insider’s perspective.

You get to partake in fun things together in a new place, so boredom is never an option in your relationship. A long-distance relationship serves as an excuse to travel, and that is nothing to complain about.

Communication skills are improved tremendously.

When you can only explain to someone what you want to be experiencing with them, you are forced to express yourself through your words. Although this proved to be one of the hardest lessons in my relationship, it was the most useful in the long run. Being apart forced us to rely on the few times that we could talk to express our thoughts, feelings and worries so that we could better our relationship.

In a long-distance relationship, you don’t have the opportunity to kiss, hug and make things better. You have to be open and honest about your feelings, while also being cognizant of the other person’s emotions. If you can survive the idea of not being able to physically be with your significant other during your disagreements, your relationship is meant to last.

Being independent keeps the relationship alive.

Spending all your time with your boyfriend or girlfriend can cause you to depend on that person too much. And when that happens, you have no one else to turn to when you need to vent about the month anniversary he forgot or the makeup she left all over the bathroom.

Giving yourself appropriate space in your relationship is good; it allows you to take some me time or have a much needed girls night. Basically, you get a chance to breathe, reflect on your own life, and make yourself better, for both yourself and your relationship. As much as you might want to believe this, your boyfriend or girlfriend cannot offer you the same connections you get from a night hanging out with only your closest friends.

When you’re in a long-distance relationship, you have no choice but to take time apart from each other -- but that helps to keep the relationship fresh and exciting when you do finally get that anticipated one-on-one time.

You gain faith in your relationship.

It is almost guaranteed that there will be nights when you feel lonely and miss your S.O. to no end. But you have to be confident in the fact that they are feeling the same way, too. You trust each other, realizing that one night (or multiple, it happens) of loneliness will not be the be all and end all of your relationship.

When you are in love with someone as strong and committed to the relationship as you are, you tend to worry less about trivial things and focus on the big picture -- which, of course, is when you will see each other next.

If you can make it through this, you can make it through anything.

A long-distance relationship is the true test of how your relationship will hold out in the long run. If you and your boyfriend/girlfriend can triumph over a time of being apart, you can do anything together. You two will be reunited, someday, and things will inevitably go a lot smoother than trying to overcome a long-distance relationship.

When that day comes, you will see how incredibly worth it all of it was. The sadness, anxiousness, stress and long hours binge watching Netflix alone will serve as building blocks for the now unbreakable relationship you share with the most important person in your life.

At times, your relationship may seem to be an impossible feat, but hear me out when I say that it will bring you to the best ending prize -- many, many years spent together with the one you love.