Surviving a Long Distance Relationship

Tiffani

8 years ago

With so many new peeps starting college in just a few weeks, I thought this might be a great topic to cover. LDR or long distance relationships are a major thing for new college students, or college students who have spent the summer together and are now going back to college in separate places.

This is such a huge thing for me, because the first part of mine and Thomas’ relationship was spend in an LDR.

I met Thomas the summer after my senior year of high school, and since he’s a grade level above me, he was already in college and going to school 400 miles away. Neither he nor I knew our little summer fling would turn in to this incredible life we now have, but I sure am glad it did. I remember so many things about our first summer together, I remember the trip up to Kansas the weekend we started our journey as long distance significant others, but more than anything, I remember leaving, in tears, terrified of what was to come.

I didn’t know how things would turn out, heck, at that moment, I didn’t even know the next time I’d see him. It’s scary, it’s really freaking scary, but it is not impossible.

We made it through our LDR but not without a lot of hard work.

Obviously, things like planning and trusting are big, and they are not things to just forget about, but to me, those are the obvious things. LDRs are all about extra planning, and more than anything, trusting.

Set up virtual dates.
Skype, Facetime, Google hangouts, the list is really endless. With a little planning you can have date night anytime you want. Just grab some popcorn and your favorite candy and it’ll almost be like you’re at home cuddling on the couch together.
Send each other small gifts or care packages.
You know that popcorn and candy I talked about? This is how you’d get it. Care packages are a great way to send pictures, sweets and handwritten notes to your significant other. Thomas and I made it a point to buy each other a little gift each month on our monthly “anniversaries” to show each other we were thinking about the other. Regardless of how big, or small, it’s always the thought that counts.
Rely on your friends (and family)!
My BFF Becca and I have been friends since we were 12, and she was there for me from the minute, Thomas and I started dating (we literally all hung out the night he asked me out), to the day I got home from dropping him off at school. She helped me when things were really tough, and I am so grateful for that friendship, and the support I had.
Create small countdowns until the next time you get to see each other.
This is such a huge thing. Knowing how many days you have until the next time you get to see each other is a major thing. Like I said, you might not have an actual end in sight, but knowing that there are little checkpoints before the end will keep you looking forward to something.
Stay committed.
This is vital. Commitment is key in just about any relationship, regardless of how far apart you are. Showing that you are committed to your parter is easy, and it’ll give you and them reminders of why you are both going through this- together.
And most importantly, know that this is not forever.
Thomas and I started our LDR with no end in sight, initially we both thought he’d finish all four years, and then hopefully get drafted, and that’d be a whole different ballgame (literally), but that wasn’t in the books for us, and we have made the most out of the situation we were given. Needless to say, just because you think you can’t see the end of this hard time, know there is always and end!