Long Distance

Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Right? My boss, Shawn, is a perfect example of a successful long distance relationship. He met Jessica at a conference years ago; he lived in Texas and she lived in Michigan. The end of their story is that they are now happily married and have a baby boy but with living hundreds of miles apart, how did they make their long distance relationship thrive?

As I was speaking with my friend Melanie this past week we were discussing her new long distance relationship with Aaron. He is based in Atlanta and she in Boston, only a two hour plane ride and the same time zone. Melanie’s story is unique. She met Aaron via the Internet and flew down to see him in Atlanta one random weekend. From their conversations and brief time spent together, her instincts told her Aaron was a genuine guy and she started a long distance relationship with Aaron.

I’ve just taken the plunge into my very first long distance relationship with ‘R’ whom I met at a conference a couple of weeks ago. A relationship with someone that lives in the next town or even 30 minutes away can be an ordeal but the challenge of a long distance relationship takes an extreme amount of trust, dedication and mental satisfaction. A hug, a glance or even a smile can make a world of difference with your significant other, but, when that person is not a drive away then the necessary physical intimacy becomes something that is longed for and desired.

I’m finding that being in a long distance relationship is refreshing because I know ‘R’ truly likes me for the person I am and not his sexual desires. Also, the excitement of seeing each other is extraordinary. I have never looked forward to jumping into someone's arms and hugging him as much as I am when I fly to California for Passover.

Everyone thinks I am crazy for several reasons, but mainly because I have only known R for a couple of weeks and he lives three thousand miles away. Maybe I am crazy, but maybe this is the beginning to a successful long distance relationship.