A long-distance relationship is an intimate relationship between partners who are far away from each other, from a geographical point of view. As stats showed, in 2017, 16 million couples define themselves as having a long-distance relationship, which is commonly encountered among college students, constituting 25% to 50% of all LDRs.
     People have always been interested in the odds that this kind of – somehow abnormal – relationship may have. I believe that long-distance relationships are just as sincere, full of joy and special moments as the local ones for a number of reasons.
     Firstly, everyday communication has never been easier to sustain. Online platforms, free apps so you can call each other as often as possible are quite helpful regarding communication issues. Due to rapid developments in technology, you can involve each other into your lives with little effort. You get the chance of seeing each other as often as possible through FaceTime or Skype and keep one another up-to-date with every detail of your existence (how your day was, your lunch, everything that’s going on in your mind, your feelings and so on). According to a study, people in long-distance relationships are more likely ‘to share meaningful thoughts and feelings with their partners’. You cannot help but do that thing that holds couples together: communicate. It does not make any remarkable difference to a ‘normal’ relationship, does it?
     Secondly, you learn to appreciate more what you have. I think that the fact of noticing mostly what is missing may become a human trait, if it is not already. ‘The best way to lose ownership of something is to own it’ and this is applicable to partners. When there are miles between you two, you cannot suffocate with one another’s presence or habits. Quite the reverse, you will long for and grow fonder of your significant other because of the effects of his absence.
     Admittedly, long-distance relationships are often mistaken for real ones. The process of developing a serious and romantic relationship requires devotion, keeping in touch with reality, but above all, action. Because of the short amount of time most people involved in long-distance relationships spend together, most problems are ignored. This is thought to be a ‘Honeymoon phase’ in which everyone is happy, their problems can be postponed and everything is just how it should be. How they manage to get over this phase of their relationship decides whether the relationship will sink or swim.
    However, living apart from one another can remain similar to a ‘honeymoon phase’ just as long as they decide otherwise. It is up to them what the direction of their relationship will be.
    To conclude, although there may be many obstacles in an attempt to overcome distance, I say that long-distance relationships are totally worth trying the effort when there is full investment from both sides, no communication problems and the desire to be part of this type of relationship whatever you may face. 
In the Contemporary Era long-distance relationships are no longer unusual, but even if some still think so, The Lion King taught us that ‘Love will (always) find a way’.

Last edited by 221B (2018-01-28 00:04:45)