Centuries ago, men and women would be separated from each other for months upon months with love letters sent by post as the only means of communication. Yet, the bond between the couple remained and the romance kindled by their sweet nothings written on the pages. Fast forward to the 21st century, in general long distance relationships are frowned upon and greeted with a cynical attitude. It is believed impossible to maintain a romance from a distance despite our increase in communications technology. Even with the technology, couples still find themselves dealing with the issue of the lack of physical contact. Can these factors be overcome and happiness be found even if couples are separated?
If there is any time that a long distance romance would work, it is in today's world. Couples can talk and see each other every day with Internet tools such as Skype and ooVoo, which provide chat functions with live video feed. You can have coffee and read the newspaper with each other as if you would if you were in the same place. Emails are the new age love letters which can be received within seconds. We even have the option for our emails to come in directly to our mobile phones that we can carry anywhere with us. This means your significant other can contact you at any given moment regardless of how many miles are between you. Imagine how convenient this would have been in the 18th century instead of waiting weeks on end for a single letter from your companion. However, a love letter sent by mail should not be forgotten either. The thought and care put into a handwritten letter should certainly help keep the romance alive in a far away romance.
The only thing that cannot be transferred through phone lines or web cams is human touch. This is perhaps what ends up driving the couples apart, not being able to have physical contact or show tangible affection. If the couple is apart for months, should they expect the other to be faithful when our human nature lies in following our physical desires? The boundaries must be set from the start to avoid miscommunication down the road. At the end of the day, physical action is nothing compared to the mental and emotional connections between the man and woman. Honesty, good communication, and laughter are just a few things that make a lasting romance, not what happens in the bedroom. If both cannot agree on the terms set, it is most likely best to cut their losses and move on. Only turmoil and hurt will follow if both partners do not agree on whether theirs will be an open or closed relationship. There is no set way to go about that. It can only be decided by those partners as to what works for them.
For a long distance relationship to truly be successful, at one point someone has to make the big gesture. The big gesture is usually the decision to close the gap and live in the same place. After all, what is the point if there wasn't some potential or possibility of taking it to that level of commitment? Why would a couple put themselves through the trials of long distance romance if not for the reality of their own happy ending one day? It's that little voice inside that said, "Don't let this one get away." Why not see where this road leads? The cynics will say it is a waste of time to chase the dream of love over states, countries, and continents. I say, listen to your heart and just live your life doing what makes you happy. If it makes you smile, then embrace it. If it starts to grow, then let it. Take one day at a time and have fun. Most importantly, don't be afraid to fall in love because life has handed you some obstacles. It will make it all the more worth it when you can look at those cynics and say, "Told you so."
"I don't want to live -- I want to love first and live incidentally..." -Zelda Fitzgerald, from one of her love letters to husband & author F.Scott Fitzgerald
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