There are a lot of people in this world, and the chances of finding someone who is your perfect match in your vicinity aren’t that high. But in today’s day and age, that person doesn’t have to be next to you to be the love of your life. It wasn’t easy, but here is how I kept my LDR healthy and stable for a long time:
Trust
There is nothing more important than trust. This goes for any relationship, but it’s even more important in a long-distance one. You both lead your lives away from each other, so being glued to your phone 24/7, talking to your SO is not healthy. Not to mention different time zones! You have to be able to trust each other and build your relationship up on that trust. Trust them when they tell you where they are and who they’re with, and don’t jump to conclusions if they don’t answer their phone right away.
Routine
Every healthy couple in the world has some sort of a routine. Whether it’s a kiss before going off to work, or spending a lunch break together, those small rituals are what make a relationship strong, and LDRs are no different. However, make sure you are not forcing the routine, but find a time that is most comfortable for both of you every day and talk then, or at the end of each day, text each other about how your day went.
Dates
You read that well – dates. It’s something all couples do, why would the two of you be any different? It’s super-easy to fall into a boring routine, and the way to break it is to find new and interesting things to do together. You can try playing online multiplayer video games, watching movies over streaming programs or simply cooking up the same thing while Skyping, and having a proper dinner date – just don’t put your laptop or phone too close to the candles!
Mutual friends
Secret relationships have a lot higher chances of crumbling and, unfortunately, people are still ashamed to admit that they are in a long-distance relationship. That’s why it is important to tell your friends and family about your partner, introduce them to each other and, if possible, let them spend some time together without you. Treat your relationship like you would if the person you’re with was living in your neighborhood. Plus, having mutual friends makes it so much easier to deliver gifts and plan surprises for each other.
Good technology
The reason why LDRs are even more common today is because we don’t have to wait for a week to get our letter to reach our partner, and then another week for their reply to reach us. We can now have instant audio-video conversations with anyone, anywhere in the world, which is the lifeline of any long-distance relationship. You do need to invest in a reliable, and preferably portable machine. Phones nowadays are more than handy and adequate for these tasks, however if you want to see your loved ones face in full size you need something like an HP notebook. When you are having a serious conversation, make sure you are in a room with a good internet connection and enough privacy, and that you have a reliable device and an available charger.
Going long-distance is not easy, but every time you see their face on that airport or train station, you will realize that it is all worth it and that every day brings you closer to the future, when you will never have to be apart again.