The Maroon - Long-distance relationships can be worthwhile

The Maroon - Long-distance relationships can be worthwhile

This is a well-written post by a young woman in a successful long-distance relationship. As she so aptly points out, LDRs can be very rewarding if we allow them to be. It's just a matter of accentuating the positive and down-playing the negative.

For some tips on finding the positive aspects of a long-distance relationship, visit http://www.alongdistancelove.com/ and sign up for the free report.

Long Distance Relationships

Certainly long distance relationships are not age specific but a large number of these couples are in college. Both my son and my daughter have experience with LDRs.

I read this article today and was impressed with the wisdom and maturity of the sentiments.

Young couples experience challenges in relationships - Life/styles: "Long distance relationships can add extra hardships to the commitments that couples make. Mary Mongarella, a junior at Quinnipiac, has been with her boyfriend for several years and has experienced these obstacles.

'I think that when you're away from each other, it definitely puts a strain on your relationship at the beginning [when you first go away,] but then you become even closer because you realize how strong your relationship is,' she said."

I very much agree with this young woman's assessment. My LDR is fast approaching the 3-year mark and although there are still tears with every separation, in many ways it's easier now than it was in the beginning. As well as realizing how strong our relationship is, it's easier to accept the times we are apart because of how magnificent our times together are.

So for anyone wondering if a long distance relationship can work, the answer is a definite yes!

Long Distance Concerns

While continuing the countdown, we talked daily, after eagerly awaiting the 9:00 PM Central strike of the clock. In a conversation on November 11th, Mike told me his kids were eager to meet me. They recognized that our relationship had become very serious in a short period of time. We also discussed how difficult it was going to be to be apart for the holidays. So while on the phone, we got on Travelocity and made the decision for me to visit Denver right after Christmas. We booked a flight for December 27th. Unfortunately, I had to return to Dallas on December 31st so we wouldn't get to spend New Year's Eve together. But again, I was grateful for whatever time we could steal. No sooner were the arrangements made than I began to fret over what his kids would think of me.

Having been divorced with no intentions of EVER remarrying, I hadn't given much thought to "blended families". Now, suddenly, I was worrying about how Mike's kids would feel about a woman in their father's life. So much of Mike's and my circumstances were similar but in this regard the difference was noteworthy. I had made a conscious choice to end my marriage. It was a decision my children had come to understand and appreciate over the years. They still had a father and were able to maintain a relationship with him despite not having typical visitation arrangements. Mike's children, on the other hand, had their mother ripped from their lives suddenly and unexpectedly. Mike had had a fairly serious relationship several years ago so I knew it wasn't really new territory for them. My greatest concern, and as it turned out, rightfully so, was the issue of long distance. This wasn't just a long distance relationship for me and Mike, it was a long distance relationship for our children as well.

By this time, Mike and I were pledging our undying and eternal love for each other. We were already discussing our commitment to spend the rest of our lives together for we believed truly and deeply that this was our destiny. We considered ourselves fortunate that our children were older and could appreciate our love. How naive we were. Almost immediately, Mike's children began to express their concerns that I lived in Dallas. Mike and I continued on with the belief that love would conquer all. His comment was full of conviction. "It will all work out. It's meant to be."

Share Your Stories

I'm going to take a break from my story today to do something a little different. I'd like to invite everyone to share with me and the other readers, their own stories of their long distance relationships. I'd like to start posting other stories and ideas on how to maintain and cope with LDRs. My goal is have this be a comprehensive resource for the over 10,000,000 couples (that's right, 10,000,000) who live in this crazy LDR world.

I've found that writing our story has had some unexpected benefits as well. It makes me feel closer to Mike, I get to relive all the incredible moments and experience the same emotions I did when they first occurred, and it reminds me why I love him so much and how worth-it it is to keep going. And perhaps equally valuable, our story may help others have hope and insight into overcoming the challenges of long distance love.

For me, music has made a big difference in my ability to cope with the long spans of separation. A classic tune like Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers, which Mike and I have danced to more than once, whisks me right into his arms. Remember that tear-jerking scene in the movie Ghost? Well, it's a lot like that. Only, lucky for me, I know I will really be in Mike's arms again. In that light, I have created two stores dedicated to LDRs, love, and romance. One, The LDR Store, is primarily for books, magazines, movies, and cell phones. After all, communication is key! The other is music - Romantic Music and Love Songs, many of which speak about long distance love.

So, do yourself and perhaps the other 20 million of us a favor and share your stories, your tips and anything else that comes to mind. I look forward to hearing from you.