23 Reasons a Long-Distance Relationship Is Actually Awesome
If you are convinced that long-distance relationships never work, it is time to think again. We've all had the friend who spends 24/7 crying into the phone, trying to stay connected to their cross-continental lover, but let's be real: there's no reason a long-distance relationship has to be so dramatic.
I recently moved across the country from San Francisco to New York, and my four-year relationship was suddenly up in the air. How do two people stay together when they are apart indefinitely? It's a question I've toyed with for a while now, and while I may not have the final answer, there are certain parts of being in a long-distance relationship that I have come to appreciate (or even love) during our time apart.
While I definitely miss coming home to my best friend every day, I can honestly say that being so far apart has both strengthened our relationship and helped us to learn more about ourselves as individuals. Here are a few of the long-distance perks that I have come to appreciate over the past six months:
- Since your time together is limited, all those fun activities that were filed away on your to-do list actually get done.
- You can still have a single girl's social life, which means more time for SATC marathons and fancy drinks with your friends.
- When you are together, you can do absolutely nothing and it still feels extraspecial.
- Living in different places means that you have a great excuse to travel to new "halfway point" destinations.
- Saying goodbye is so hard, but saying hello again feels like Christmas came early.
- Date nights are always a special occasion.
- You can cry to your significant other without getting makeup all over their shirt.
- There is something extraspecial about finding a real-life love letter in your mailbox.
- Three words: frequent flyer miles.
- You learn to be a better listener and communicator since your interactions are limited to over the phone and on your computer.
- Go ahead, don't shave your legs, no one will notice.
- Since it's hard to get physical from so far away, you focus on strengthening other important parts of what makes your relationship special.
- Being apart makes it easier to take a step back and offer advice from a neutral standpoint.
- You end up saving a lot of money on groceries.
- Though they may be far away, you know that your significant other still has your back and is there to support you, no matter what.
- Watching the same show across the country becomes a creative long-distance date that's actually fun.
- You can roll up in your covers burrito-style, and no one can stop you.
- You can embrace your independence while still knowing there is someone really special who wants what is best for you.
- You can watch the TV shows they hate all the time, with the volume on high.
- Though there are tough moments being so far away, getting through them strengthens your relationship in the long run.
- When you get together again, you relearn the habits and quirks that you love about them.
- You grow to deeply trust your significant other since you spend so much time apart.
- It's a nice feeling to have your phone ring every night and know that someone who loves you is on the other end.