Photo by Cati Kaoe
(Creative Commons)

Long distance relationships are a funny thing. You are in a relationship while also appearing to be single because you are consistently lacking a date. 

This year, I have encountered some funny or uncomfortable situations--like the friend's birthday dinner that ended up consisting of six couples, me without my boyfriend and, for some reason, my friend's much younger cousin, or the dinner party that was going to be all couples, a single friend of mine and me--I ended up bowing out of that due to work. 

I have also noticed more and more people feeling a need to bring their significant other almost everywhere they go and that "girl time" and "boys nights" need to be scheduled. 

I know that long distance relationships are hard and they are definitely not for everyone, so are they worth it? 

Sometimes they are. 

There's something about being in a long distance relationship that draws other people to you who have been in long distance relationships.  I have heard so many stories about people who lived in different countries for years and were able to make their relationships work.  I think that that's pretty amazing.  I'm not sure if I would be able to do that, but I guess when you love someone you're able to do things that you didn't think you'd be able to do otherwise--it sounds cliché, so while I'm at it, I'll throw in "absence makes the heart grow fonder" in for good measure too.

Being one half of a long distance relationship can feel a little lonely when it seems like everyone is getting married.  I had to pick which of two weddings to attend next month because they are occurring on the same weekend. And, of course, my boyfriend is attending the other one--it is his cousin that is getting married after all.  It isn't clear if it's the wedding industry to blame or just that time in my life and those around me, but it seems like there is a lot of pressure to be in a relationship.  All relationships, even friendships, require a bit of work and long distance relationships require something else:  patience.

One more cliché, good things come to those who wait, but for someone in a long distance relationship the wait for a night out with the significant other might be a month or two.

Distance can make you appreciate the little things like holding hands, being able to grab lunch together, or even celebrating each other's birthday, which most couples take for granted.  Each moment with someone you really care about should be cherished, but today, with all of the distractions that we create for ourselves, sometimes we put the people who we care about the most--our parents, siblings, significant others--on the back burner. 

If you're not in a long distance relationship, take a moment and think about what it might be like to be in one and the things that you might miss because of distance. Doesn't it make you appreciate just being near the person to whom you've committed yourself? 

If you are in a long distance relationship, I know it's tough, but it is so worth it. 

And if you're single, the next time you find yourself in a relationship and taking the other person for granted, maybe stop and think about if what it would be like if he/ she suddenly had to move across the country.  You might appreciate that surprise visit a bit more, instead of classifying as an inconvenience.