Everyone is taking part in some form of long-distance relationship. Whenever you go away to university or college, there are people you are leaving behind and having to communicate with from afar. This can be in the form of a significant other, a friendship or even a sibling relationship. It sounds kind of weird when you consider it in that way, but when you understand the fundamental aspects of what a long-distance relationship is, this definition can be felt in many different ways.
When you travel a considerable distance, you miss your closest friends that always stick by you, your family members that keep you grounded, and possibly even a significant other that understands you better than others might. This causes some emotional distress and possible heartache.
Having to communicate solely over text or FaceTime with your best friend can really suck sometimes. When you just want some familiar comfort from someone that has known you for years, it’s hard to not feel disappointed that they can’t be there to eat an entire jar of Nutella with you while re-watching Mean Girls for the hundredth time. There are all the same levels of missing a close friend that there are with an S.O. Maybe you go through similar feelings of jealousy when your best friend is moving on easily and making tons of new friends. Maybe you get frustrated when they don’t have the ability to FaceTime or respond to text messages. I know I’m always shocked when my mom doesn’t respond for a few hours to my agonizing questions about what I should make for dinner. It’s okay to find it difficult to transition from seeing these significant people every single day to only once every few months. Just because you are not in a physical relationship with them, it does not negate the emotions you may experience.
So, I propose that we flip the script on the inflexible definition of a long-distance relationship. Yes, there may be more passionate feelings associated with being apart from your S.O., but this should not diminish the similar experience of needing your mother, father, best friend, brother, sister, or any other valuable person in your life.
It’s important to acknowledge that friendships go through similar degrees of disconnection that partnerships do. A noticeable decrease in communication with a good friend feels just as upsetting as that with a boyfriend or girlfriend. These people are there throughout every fling, confusing hookup, devastating breakup and difficult moment of any relationship you’ve gone through. The memories you share may be stronger and more substantial than some with romantic partners. So, when this relationship starts to lose connection, it can feel pretty painful. Realizing that you are communicating less and less with your closest friends can be frustrating and disappointing.
On the other hand, It is one of the best feelings to finally reconnect with your friends. These relationships are extremely precious and deserve the acknowledgment of the feelings of loss while apart. Case in point, there are plenty of articles on how to maintain a long-distance relationship with friends, just look at The Huffington Post or The New York Times. Friendships are just as important as romantic relationships, and the energy and dedication needed to foster them while away at school is significant.
When you’re sick and tired of missing your best friends, or other important people in your life, take comfort in knowing that everyone else is also going through some form of this experience. It’s an interesting thing to become aware of the fact that someone is always missing someone else. So, I say it’s fair and very acceptable to label your friendship as a long distance relationship because of the fact that they bear such similar sensations and emotions. It helps to know that our closest relationships are important whether they are near or far and that is pretty cool to realize.