Long-distance dating: Do it | The Clause

It has long since been said that long-distance dating should be avoided at all costs. If you both do not live within a 10-mile radius, rule it out immediately. I, on the other hand, beg to differ.

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Of the last 13 months of dating my boyfriend, we have been long distance for 10 of them. Yes, it sucks not to be able to see him everyday, go on dates down to Pasadena or maybe even the occasional Disneyland trip, but the benefits of the distance far outweigh these minor setbacks.

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Although it is clich?, communication is key in making any relationship survive and thrive (cheesy, I know). This could not be any truer for long-distance dating.

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In past relationships, if a solution to an argument is nowhere in sight, the easiest solution, and the solution most often taken, was to push it aside and go see a movie. Sure, this works in the moment, but three days later when you are arguing again, the unresolved feelings from the previous night will surface. Without a doubt.

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With long-distance dating, there is no other option but to buckle in and work it out. I am not going to lie by saying that those two hours on the phone are the best two hours of your relationship, but true resolution is the result. I would rather put in the time then than continue to have the same fight every other week.

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Even if you do not consider yourself the best communicator, long distance relationships force you to fine tune those skills.

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A fair argument can be made that long-distance relationships are void of any and all romance. This, however, does not have to be the case.

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While going on dates is not an option, and the occasional make-out session (yeah, I said it) will not be happening anytime soon, romance can be ? and should be ? present in any long-distance relationship.

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Flowers can be delivered, notes and gifts can be sent through the mail and even emails and text messages can bring romance into a relationship. Again, an argument can be made that this does not measure up to a nice dinner at the Melting Pot and a hike to the A. Once again, I beg to differ.

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Making the effort to include romance in your relationship shows just how committed an individual is to making it work. This also allows for creativity and a chance for your significant other to show you just how well they know you.

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Another ally in the battle of long- distance dating is technology.

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Inventions such as Skype and Facetime allow you to see your significant other?s face when talking to them. Talking over the phone is one thing, but the ability to see their facial expressions, the weight that they have gained now that they have the security of a relationship, and even their friends adds a great deal to the relationship.

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There is also intentionality behind this. Everyone knows that Skyping is a time commitment, often requiring couples to set up a designated time in advance. This again adds to the success of the relationship. Rather than banking on the fact that you will see your boyfriend or girlfriend on Cougar Walk or in Heritage, Skyping requires what each relationship deserves: intention and time commitment.

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The final and strongest argument to be made in support of long distance dating has to do with your friends.

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Whether we are willing to admit it or not, we all hate it when our friend gets a boyfriend or a girlfriend and starts spending all of their time with him or her. You may not have been jealous before, but you miss your friend and would not hate it if they broke up. This will not be an issue if you are in a long distance relationship.

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It is because your significant other is far away that when making plans for the weekend, a decision does not have to be made between friends and boyfriend or girlfriend. Your friends will always win. They will also be more understanding when you have to step out at dinner for 10 minutes to give your boyfriend or girlfriend a call, and they will genuinely want your relationship to succeed.

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College is where most of your life long friends are made, and being in a relationship can sometimes hinder those friendships. This, however, is not the case when you are in a long-distance relationship.

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Although I am a strong supporter of long-distance relationships, I am not ignorant. There are definitely hardships that come along with long-distance dating, such as travel expenses to fly out to see your significant other. It does not, however, deserve the bad reputation it has been given.

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I am not guaranteeing it will be successful, but you cannot dismiss something you have never tried.

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Paige Cody is junior journalism major from Scottsdale, Ariz. She loves going to the movies, especially with her boyfriend when he is not pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Source: http://www.theclause.org/2012/03/long-distance-dating-do-it/

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