Something that always has baffled me is the idea of a long-distance relationship. Being able to observe my close friends and family as they embark on an emotional adventure, I could never fully understand dating someone who may not even be on the same continent as yourself. Although love knows no distance, can love truly be sensible enough to allow you to not hold back while your beloved is miles away?
Take, for instance, the high school sweethearts. They attend different universities and decide not to inhibit each other from achieving their ambitions, as long as they sacrifice ample amounts of time on the phone. While their roommates, friends and former high school classmates immerse themselves into their new atmosphere meeting new people and adjusting to their new surroundings, we find our high school lovers destined to be the three percent of high school sweethearts that remain together eternally. Nights spent in the dorm room on your “free nights and weekend minutes” instead of investing time in getting to know your new classmates, part time employment, or social functions. Weekends spent at home or in your dorm watching television with your beloved, making sure to use the time you sacrificed to show your high school sweetheart everything you love about your new university. And finally, living with the constant fear that while you are away you might grow apart and your security blanket will be removed as you are throw into a world you never gave a chance to explore. Although high school sweethearts are becoming a fairytale, I admire the three percent that allow each other to function and grow separately into the wonderful, successful person they can be.
When it comes to couples who are facing distance dilemmas because of job opportunities, internships or abroad programs it is a difficult decision as to whether they shall face the idea of giving the other space while they embark on their new adventure. While the desire to live separate lives across the country (or even ocean) but still remain together is a comforting idea, I imagine it could be a lot harder than it looks. To resort to a relationship over the phone, Internet or e-mail must become frustrating to the individuals involved. I can imagine the difficulty of achieving your goals without your beloved physically there to support you can be heart wrenching at times. But as the ancient clichés state, “if it is meant to be it will be” so I continue to observe successful long distance relationships.
Perhaps long distance relationships are really the test of a relationship. When you can overcome an obstacle hundreds of miles wide, you know your love is true.