In no way do I see myself as a relationship expert and I am sure many of my peers would say the same about themselves. But, that should not stop us from sharing our takes on relationships and the scariest of all relationships, long distance. DUN DUN DUUUUUN. Spooky right? Wrong.
All my preconceived notions about long-distance relationships were mostly negative. I mean, who remembers the song “Long Distance” by the Naked Brothers Band? The lyrics of the song actually say “long-distance relationships will kill you.” A quality throwback, I know, but The Naked Brothers Band members were just too young and naive to know any better.
Yes, long-distance relationships can be hard, but as someone who is currently in one, I can proudly say that they will not kill you.
Also, as someone who somehow managed to stay single all throughout high school and most of college despite desperately wishing I’d had a date to homecoming or prom (I swear I am not bitter), I surely did not see myself being in a long-distance relationship. Mostly because if the guys I liked in high school did not want me when we were in the same place, they sure were not going to put in the effort to date me with 1,000 miles between us, despite knowing I am more than worth it.
Long-distance relationships seem to be all the rage among college students. They are especially common for underclassmen who are desperately holding on to their high school “sweethearts” who go to school in another state, all while trying to find themselves in the whirlwind of college life. And, most of what I have heard regarding long-distance relationships revolves around college students.
According to a 2005 study, 75% of college students have been in long-distance relationships.
Outside of the confines of college, the New York Post noted that long-distance relationships have a success rate of 58% — which is pretty reassuring since all relationships have a 50/50 chance of working out regardless if they are long-distance or not.
Long story short, I just could not imagine myself being in one of those relationships. See what I did there, further stereotyping long-distance relationships? Sorry! It really is not as bad as people make it out to be.
At least until I met my wonderful boyfriend who only lives five and a half hours away. Is that really too long of a distance, especially since we can each drive a couple of hours and meet in the middle?
Sure, we do not get to see each other every day (thanks life), but thanks to wonderful technology, we can still text and FaceTime whenever we are not together. I have never been so thankful for FaceTime in my life, and this is coming from a girl who has moved states seven times and has friends all over the United States.
I cherish any time, face to face or virtually, that we can get together.
Outside the bounds of technology, I try to take the time to mail him little notes of appreciation. That can really make all the difference in a long-distance relationship.
I have found that taking the time to share my feelings through a little note only further highlights how much I care about him and cherish our relationship no matter how far apart we may be. And I get just as reassured through all the little things like the long Snapchat videos he sends me once I have fallen asleep.
So, long-distance relationships will not kill you. I want to apologize to everyone I have ever silently judged that was in a long-distance relationship because I feel you now.
[gifs and photos courtesy of HerCampus]