As I entered into my freshman year of college, I expected the typical experience: new friends, rigorous classes and crazy memories to be made. Falling in love with the man of my dreams was the last thing on my agenda, but it's funny how the unexpected pops up on you.
I met my boyfriend the first semester of my freshman year. He was a senior ready to head out into the world, as I was still a rookie figuring out how to get around campus. The moment I met him, I knew he was something special, the instant spark between us could've been seen by anyone in the room.
We've been together now for about a year and a half. He is graduated and working to make his wildest dreams come true while I finish up school. Our situation is a little different than most, we are in a long distance relationship. I'm sure many can relate to the ups and downs of being apart, out of all honesty it has been one of the hardest challenges I've dealt with. One moment you feel on top of the world and seem to have it all figured out and the next you have everything slipping through your fingertips.
There is a light at the end of the long distance tunnel, I've not only learned a handful about myself through the relationship but how other people interact as well; especially my significant other.
Appreciate The Little Things
Since we are apart for most of the time, I appreciate and cherish our time together so much. Most individuals get to see their significant other every day, I find myself envying most of them for that. Small gestures like flowers at my doorstep and notes in the mail mean more to me than anyone could ever imagine. Besides my family, I've never appreciated an individual as much as my boyfriend. Distance does make the heart grow fonder and has opened my eyes to so many things I was blind to before. We find ourselves as people bypassing the little things and not stopping to appreciate the value when it is right in front of us. I've learned to become more appreciative, patient, and thankful for the small and big things in my life no matter what they are.
Remember Who You Are
Male or female, I'm sure some of us have found ourselves being someone we aren't or acting differently to impress the other. Remember where you came from, what you're truly about and practice your core beliefs. As females in today's society so much is expected of us to be someone we typically are not. I was myself through the entire process with my boyfriend, I didn't take any loopholes to make myself "better." He loves me at my best and my worst, nothing can beat that. Find that other person who makes you a better you. With that, find a good balance being your true self independently is very important as well. Relying on another individual to complete you all around is absolutely absurd. Your significant other should lift you up and benefit you, not morph you into a completely different person.
Follow Your Heart
It may sounds cliché, but when you know, you just know. It felt so right waking up to the sound of his voice and the embrace of his hugs. I have found a huge part of growing up is truly listening to your heart and putting your satisfaction first. Choosing a long distance relationship was my choice, I had no outside influences. When he graduated, we could've parted our ways and never spoken again, but we both knew it would've been a huge mistake. Distance means so little when someone means so much, we knew we couldn't just toss everything we had away. Tough times don't last, tough people do; we knew through all the obstacles that would be thrown our way, we would come out on top.
Communication Is Key
In today's day and age, communicating while away from each other has never been easier. With FaceTime and Skype, you can see the person anytime, any place. Every night my boyfriend and I have a FaceTime chat and discuss our days. We make sure to routinely call in the morning and at night to start and end our day with each other. Communication builds trust and just helps the world of relationships revolve. Without communication, the cookie can quickly crumble. There is also nothing wrong with kicking it old school and sending love letters here and there to each other, as well.
I'll be completely honest, there is nothing I hate more than being apart from my boyfriend. When I get home from work and he is across the country, my heart gets a little sad. Although it may seem like we are in two different chapters in our lives, our love will soon bring us together to start our own book. I couldn't see myself with anyone else at this point in my life; our bond is something so unique. When we visit each other from being apart, it seems like nothing has changed. Some of you may be reading this and are thinking I'm the craziest person in the world, but I see my situation as something extraordinary. They say love is the most powerful drug, and I'm a firm believer in that.
