Long-Distance Relationships…Worth the Struggle? Maybe.

As another school year begins, some leave home not only to leave their families behind, but a significant other. Some of these relationships began as summer romances; others have been relationships from high school. If you’re reading this and saying to yourself, “yeah, that’s totally me,” then keep reading. Or just keep reading because your interested. As a sophomore college student attending Penn State Berks for my second year, I’ve known the struggles and triumphs of being in a long distance relationship. For some long distance relationships, it could simply be thirty minutes apart or possibly an entire country apart. Luckily for me, that distance is only two and half-hours away. 

 

Your probably wondering why should I listen to her, she doesn’t know my relationship or anything about me. Well ladies, I’ve nearly done this two and half hour relationship for the three past years and it wasn’t always two and half hours, but three and half. Many relationships struggle with the question daily, “Is it worth keeping this relationship going?” No matter what the distance is, everybody struggles with making his or her relationships work. Especially, when it comes to being in different environments than your significant other. With being in different environments, there are all different types of people and factors, which are going to contribute to making your relationship work. One of the hardest things, I’ve struggled with in my long distance relationship is jealously. The first year was the most difficult. Especially, when my boyfriend continued to hang out with a girl from his high school in his new college environment. I get the whole idea of not knowing anyone and having no choice, but when they stop texting you back or calling, then you should question it. Luckily for me, the texting and calling didn’t stop happening. Jealousy is one of the factors that truly end a relationship in my book, but another important thing every relationship must have is trust. If you really believe in your relationship, you have to trust the person. If there’s no trust, then I wouldn’t suggest a long distance relationship. 

 

Often times, both my boyfriend and I have questioned our relationship and the distance, but at the end of the day I know it’s right because I couldn’t imagine falling in love with someone else. I’m not a person to get all sappy, but its true. I’m thankful for having a long distance relationship for a few reasons, one of those being the moments we cherish we get one another. For instances, this past weekend I hadn’t seen my boyfriend for nearly two and half weeks and I really needed to see him. When I drove the two and half hours to see him, I had butterflies like I had when we first started dating. Those moments are the moments I truly appreciate, because it really reminds me that this boy takes my breath away and has the ability to make everything right for once. Those moments make the distance bearable. The “good morning” and “I love you” texts truly remind me that there is someone in the world who completes me. It’s not all about seeing the person everyday; it’s about the journey that brings you together forever.

 

As I have told my friends, even though I’ve been dating my boyfriend for three years, I don’t depend on him to making my life perfect or happy. The only person who can make everything right in your life is you. The hardest things in life may be shared with a person, but there’s times where you’re going to have to figure things out on your own. Sure, it’s going to make you crazy, but wouldn’t you rather consider yourself a strong, independent woman? I haven’t always been that strong, independent women, but in my opinion you’re the only one who is going to make everything be alright. You can make everything okay by reading a novel you’ve always wanted to read, taking out your stress and problems out at the gym (my personal favorite), going out with your best girlfriends (another favorite), or simply having a good cry in bed. The important thing is WHATEVER MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER. I would suggest put all that energy in your schoolwork, it works for me. Basically, I call schoolwork my other significant other. 

 

If your relationship is truly meant to be, it will be. If it’s really seems unbearable than you know what the decision is you have to make. Remember, you learn from each relationship you’ve been it. Sometimes your gonna have to kiss a few frogs before the right relationship comes along. I’m not saying my relationship is perfect, it definitely has flaws. My boyfriend and I have had those moments where we have called each other screaming and crying, but at the end of the day we both know no matter where life takes us we’ll always try our best to be there for one another. It’s not supposed to be easy, but you’re the one who decides what’s right for you.

 

Until next time, I’ll leave you all with this: “Can miles truly separate you from friends? If you want to be with someone you love, aren’t you already there?” – Richard Bach.