My Key To {Long Distance}

I probably shouldn't be complaining about the distance because the longest Steven and I have to go without seeing each other is usually less than two months. I also know that some people have to go months and months without seeing the person they love and trust me when I say that the possibility of us having to do the same is always in the back of my mind. So for now, I'm so grateful that I get to see him as much as I do.

Sometimes I get tired of the distance. When there are exciting things happening in our lives, it makes me sad that we can't be together to share the excitement. When I'm having a long day, I wish that I could see and talk to him in person. I don't like that I have to countdown the days until I see him, and I hate that when I'm with him I feel like I have to make every minute count. If we aren't constantly doing something when we are together, I feel like we're wasting the precious time we have.

Those are the times that I'm cursing the 1,000 miles between us but all you long distance lovers shouldn’t be discouraged. I believe that the distance is a blessing in disguise and I know that my relationship with Steven is stronger than it's ever been because of the miles between us. We have to rely solely on communication to be able to connect with each other when we're apart. We have to compromise, we have to be flexible and we have to make each other a priority. We also have to work really hard to make our relationship work. This is why I'm thankful for the distance and these are the things that have strengthened the love we have for each other.

Steven and I talk as much as we can. Somedays are obviously busier than others and on those days it's hard to find a time in our schedules that we can both talk. On days like these, we mainly text and email back and forth with a short phone call at night. The day following a day like this, we make sure to talk a little longer than normal to make up for the time we lost the day before. Steven and I tell each other everything in hopes of making the distance not seem so far.  We tell each other the big and little things. The little details that we mention are what make us feel more connected to each other's lives.

If I have any advice for couples who are in long distance relationships, it's to communicate as much as you can. Just because you can't always physically be together doesn't mean you can't have a romantic relationship. Voice your affection and tell the person you love why you love them.  

Voicing what we are feeling is what has made my relationship with Steven successful thus far. It's taught us both how to talk about our emotions, both good and bad. Not only does my heart completely melt at the sweet things he says, but we’ve learned to communicate our feelings to each other when we're frustrated or upset. After a while, it’s become easy for us to say what we really feel in a constructive way. The way we communicate with each other now is something that I don't think we would've learned had we been in a different situation.

So, as much as I complain and whine about long distance relationships, I'm grateful for the challenge we have been faced with. Even with hundreds of miles between us, I fall more in love with him every day which is crazy to me because I really love that man today. 

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