Relationships are not easy in today’s world. They are something that you really have to work on together; they can’t just be a one-sided pursuit. There are several elements that can make or break a relationship. Both people have to choose to invest their time, effort and communication to help the bond grow stronger between them. Another factor can sometimes be distance, and how each person handles being apart if the relationship is a long-distance one.

As of October 13, I have been dating my best friend for two years. One fun thing about our relationship is that we’ve known each other since we were two years old! We were the best of buddies! I remember our tumbling and swimming lessons, play dates, birthday parties and church events together so clearly! Unfortunately, because my family moved out of the state when I was 4 years old, I lost contact with him for about 10 years. However, when we returned to Texas and our families saw each other again, our friendship was rekindled immediately, and it was like we were instant best friends again! At first, we just talked and texted, but soon we realized that both of us wanted to date each other, so we began a long-distance relationship.

I have to admit that this distance between us has been the hardest part about our relationship. Since we started dating, there has never been a time where we lived in the same area. When we were in high school, He was in Dallas and I was in Houston. Then, when I moved to Dallas for college, he also moved to go to college in Wichita Falls, which is two and a half hours away from Dallas!

Being in this relationship has taught me a lot. One of the biggest lessons I am learning is understanding the meaning of patience. It was incredibly hard during high school to go months at a time without seeing him. Now that we’re a little closer, we can see each other a little more often, but it is still, hard to go just a few weeks. We both have learned to cope with it, and we make concerted efforts to schedule our next time together. When we can’t be together in person, we skype so we can at least see each other. Communication is critical between us, and we make the most of the time we have.

When you think about a long distance relationship, it’s very easy to think about all the reasons that it won’t last. Statistics show that most of them will last about four and a half months before a breakup. When I compare this with our two years, I realize that there must be some big differences. Maybe they didn’t know how to work things out. Maybe when things got bad, they didn’t trust each other. Maybe they didn’t rely on Christ to help them get through the situation. I’m not going to say that my our relationship hasn’t seen hard times, because it has, but we made it through those struggles and came out stronger than before.

I’m sure most of you know the quote “Absence makes the

heart grow fonder.” I love that saying, because in our relationship it’s so true! Every time we are able to be together, we get crazier! And you know what? With him, I have no issue with it. He brings out my crazy, silly side and since I am normally a pretty quiet person, it is exciting to see just how fun life can be! So, this is my take on this whole thing: Even through the long distance, I can’t picture myself with anyone else. We’ve talked about our future together and the places we’ll go, but even actually, the future isn’t so far off. Tanner, I’m your Belle and you’re my Tigger, and if God gives me my forever with you, I know my life will be crazy fun and amazing. As of October 13, Happy Anniversary Tigger!! For now, let’s continue to show the world that even through a long distance relationship, we can make it through anything!