Long Distance Relationships

If you had told me six months ago that I would soon be entering into a long distance relationship, I probably would have [kindly] laughed in your face. If you had told me this boy would be seventeen hours and 1300 miles away in the sunshine state of Florida, I most likely would have rolled my eyes and flashed a "you-obviously-don't-know-me-at-all" smile.

I mean relationships are hard enough as it is. Who would be crazy enough to increase to the stress by adding mileage?

For me, it's simple. I like holding hands and going out to eat. I like watching a movie or going for a jog. I like knowing his friends, and having him know mine. Nothing monumental, or life changing. Yet, I felt as though I couldnt really survive without these essential "building blocks."

Hence, the eye-rolling.

Well six-month-ago me was [obviously] quite the pessimist about LDRs. I have had several friends who have courageously taken on this feat over the years. Some have succeeded, but many have failed. Some are only a few hours away at different schools, so they make the trek each weekend to be together. Others are father apart. Six-month-ago-me wondered how they possibly made it work. How can they keep their relationship alive when so much space exists between them?

It's funny how I can claim over and over again that I'm never ever going to do something.

I scoff at all those crazy enough to try LDRs cause I'm confident they're just wasting their time.

Then my friend tells me about this "really really nice" guy I should talk to. I, of course, friend request him. Why not? We talk. He's cute. And funny. We go on a date, or two. It's great. But, here's the catch, he lives in Florida. So really, it doesn't matter how wonderful he is.

Right?

Wrong.

Somewhere between our plate of fajitas and the day he left for Tampa, my opinion of LDRs got a little hazy. I found myself being somewhat optimistic. I thought they may be doable.

What's the big deal, right?

Well, it hasn't been easy. The past five months have been absolutely wonderful, but also super hard. The key to its success has been lots of texting, emails, packages, hours and hours of skype dates, visits as often as possible and, of course, having someone at the end of the day

who makes it all worth it.

My LDR has been good to me and I'm no longer a Debbie Downer about long distance relationships. But this Friday, Grahm moves here. Our LDR will be ending.

And let me tell you, I just don't think I will miss it.

:)