When I started dating my current boyfriend, Cam, a little under a year ago, I was not thinking about how university would affect our relationship, I was busy enjoying my senior year of high school. By the time August came around, it became necessary for us to discuss our future, and we decided to stay together after I asked him, “Do you want to date me in college?” to which he responded, “Yes,” and that was that.
Many of my new friends at McGill are also in long distance relationships, although a few have deteriorated within the first couple months, even weeks, of school. It is nice to be surrounded with girls in the same situation as I am, and also refreshing to be around single girls to live a bit vicariously through their weekend stories. Cam and I are in a closed relationship, which works well for us, however I know some of my friends are in open relationships with their significant others. I have found that the most important thing about long distance is that both parties are on the same page, and communicate with each other. It’s hard going from seeing someone almost every day to every couple of months, but if each person is equally committed I believe it can work.
I was a bit nervous starting university with a long distance relationship, but for Cam and me it has been great. I miss him a lot, and I know the feeling is mutual, but modern communication makes long distance much less intimidating. The ability to FaceTime and text has made everything much easier. Despite missing him, I have been able to appreciate being on my own, since Cam is five hours away at Harvard University. Before deciding to attend McGill (the best decision for sure!) I was considering going to school in Boston. However, I think that if we were at school so close together, I would be spending most of my time with him and not be learning how to live on my own and be pseudo-single. I am glad I get the chance to discover myself and not be attached at the hip with my significant other.
That being said, going home to Massachusetts allows me to visit Cam, and the two times I have been home have been amazing. My parents have definitely caught up on the fact that my monthly scheduled trips home have less to do with them than my connection in Cambridge. For me, doing long distance is worth the time and effort it takes to keep in touch. Every time I see Cam he validates the fact that however tough it can be sometimes, in the end love is the most important thing.
Images obtained from:
http://zuum.vn/vo-oi-minh-hen-ho-nhe/
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203914183879608&set=a.16284165…