But while these physically-challenged relationships require tons of hard work, there still are a countless happy couples out there who could proudly say they have overcome all the obstacles and their relationship succeeded.
If you are in such a relationship and you feel hopeless and frustrated, this might be your gift from heaven. Here are the 5 keys to having a successful long distance relationship:
1. Trust and Loyalty
This is a no-brainer. Loyalty and trust are a mutually exclusive clause otherwise known as commitment. While this much is true (or should be) for all relationships, long distance relationships require each party to make the extra effort of showing loyalty and trust to the other. Never give your partner any room for doubt!
2. Constant Communication
As long distance lovers, you don’t get to go on dates on a whim. So you have to both make use of whatever available means to keep each other updated of what’s happening with each other’s lives. Thankfully, the internet makes this easy.
Fill your partner in with details; make him/her feel like you still are sharing the same world despite the distance.
3. Compromise
A relationship is never about one person. Agree on what works best for your relationship. This is especially true and important if you do not share the same time zones with your loved one. An hour or two in difference is quite easy but if you have 12-hours between you, you must both agree on an exclusive time of the day just for each other.
4. Extra cup of sweetness
A sweet gesture goes a long way… even as long as halfway across the world to your lover. A surprise snail mail, Skype date, or making time to watch online movies together will do so much. The small things will eventually patch up the huge distance. Buy her roses even when she can only see it on webcam; make him a portrait or knitted cap even when you’re six months away from seeing each other.
5. Long-term plans
This is where many long distance relationships fail. If you reach a point in your relationship where you both are certain of your feelings for each other, you must both have long term goals. You cannot forever be Skype lovers; you have to know where your relationship is headed. This gives you both something to look forward to, something to keep you going, a reason to hang on and conquer the odds.
These are the important fibers that will have to be present in your relationship. These things aren’t all too unfamiliar as they are the exact same principles that keep any relationship alive. You just have to make these small things big enough to run across miles and miles and halfway around the world to bridge the gap between you and your lover.
