Dear Salty Vixen,
My boyfriend and I have been dating for around 7 months now and I feel that we are really in love with each other. We respect each other thoroughly and support each other with our decisions. The thing is, he just got accepted to a graduate program that is on the west coast while we currently live on the east coast. At first I was sort of devastated, but I am completely supportive of him as I know he really likes the program.
However, he made the suggestion that after a year, I should go to the west coast, but after considering it, I told him it wasn't feasible for my career goals for the short length of time I'd be there. He's really hesitant about the long distance thing, but I'm still very supportive of him. How can I give him more positive words so he won't base his decision solely on the fact that this will be a long distance relationship for nearly 2 years? --Is Long Distance Worth It?
Dear Is Long Distance Worth It?,
Any person worth having is worth waiting a few years for. If you both have something really special then take the plunge. You'd be surprised at how well a long distance relationship can work out. Granted, it won't be easy and you'll both go through your bouts of loneliness. However, the rewards for making it through are worth every lonely second.
Just remember there are thousands of couples going through long distance relationships every day. There are thousands of resources available, many on this site, to help you both make it through and keep the relationship feeling alive and new. With the Internet you can both keep in contact through Internet phones, chats, instant messengers and more. The only thing stopping a long distance relationship from succeeding in these times is the relationship itself.
If your relationship is rocky or isn't meant to pan out in the end, a long distance situation brings that to your attention quite quickly. This may be the reason so many people are hesitant to get involved in this type of relationship. However, if you are truly a match made in heaven, a few thousand miles can only make your relationship that much stronger in the long-term.
As to what to tell your boyfriend… just let him know that you think he's worth the wait. You know you both can make it, and that you hope he feels the same way.
XOXO,
