In today’s society, people that are willing to commit to a long distance relationship are few and far between. It takes time, effort and commitment to last while not being around each other every day. Some people try it, and it is not for them. Some choose to end the relationship before it can fizzle out over time. But there are people that do last, and think that the distance will only make them stronger. I recently interviewed Destiny Cage and her boyfriend, Dylan Kassle, who live over 700 miles away from each other. This is what they had to say about their long distance relationship.
When and where did you guys meet?
Destiny- He was actually dating my best friend during my sophomore year, but I didn’t pay much attention to him at that point. Then he joined ‘Students Supporting Students,’ which was my “thing” during senior year. That’s when we actually started to hang out where it meant something.
Dylan- The ILC at our high school. Actually, we met before then, but that was briefly. We had a more formal meeting my junior year.
How long have y’all been a couple?
Destiny- Officially, since May of 2017, but we were talking before then.
Dylan- It’ll be a year on May 15th, so about nine months.
How far away do you live from each other?
Destiny- He lives in Colorado, and I live in Texas.
Dylan- Far. Long. Hundreds of miles away.
Why did you decide on trying long distance?
Destiny- At first we weren’t going to, but then I got to college, and met a bunch of stupid guys. That’s when I realized that was not at all what I wanted, and that I missed him. That’s when we decided that we would try it.
Dylan- We actually weren’t to start with. She had to go to college in the middle of our relationship here in Colorado. We decided to try and make it work after we were separated.
What is the hardest thing about being in a long distance relationship?
Destiny- The hardest part about it is not having physical touch. I don’t have somebody to hug, and I like hugs.
Dylan- All of it, honestly.
Do you think that there are any perks to a long distance relationship?
Destiny- Especially since we are in college, it’s nice because I can text him and say “I’m doing homework, give me a second.” I have that space from him if I need to be working or focusing on school. He can take the back seat for a second, and let me get things done.
Dylan- No, not really. It kind of sucks all the time.
How often do you get to see each other?
Destiny- Not nearly often enough. Like once a semester. We were together all of winter break, and he came down here for a weekend last semester. We aren’t going to see each other again till the summer.
Dylan- About every four months on average.
Has there been a time were the distance was harder than usual?
Destiny- After we were together again for winter break, and we pretty much lived together during that time, he had to go back home. The week after he went home was probably the hardest part since I got kind of spoiled with having him around, and then I was suddenly alone again.
Dylan- I don’t think that there has ever been a time that it was harder than the rest of our time apart.
What advice do you have for people that are also attempting long distance?
Destiny- You can’t be to horribly needy. If you are the type of person that needs to know where your significant other is every second of every day, you can’t do that. It’s hard to constantly talk to them. You have to be secure in your relationship. If you don’t completely trust them, it isn’t going to work.
Dylan- Communication is key. Call and FaceTime all the time. Well, I mean as often as possible.
Overall, long distance is not for everyone. It takes communication, trust, and a lot of sacrifice. They were a few of the lucky ones who are still going strong even after their time apart. If you think it is worth it, then I say try it. If you hate it, or it doesn’t work out, at least you tried. If you put in the work, and it was meant to work out, you and your partner will come out of it striving.