Coming back to college can be rough for some students in long distance relationships. A student may have met their older partner on campus, but they graduated and moved onto the next step of life. Their partner may live in their hometown or attend a different college. Whatever the circumstances, it’s difficult for two people in a relationship separated by many miles to see each other enough. Just because you can’t see each other in person 24/7 doesn’t mean that you can’t find creative ways to keep your connection alive.
You and your partner have more to share with each other. Frequent Skype calls are a blessing. You have many more experiences to share with them than what happened on the drive to their place. Now, you can spill the new drama within your friend group, that band you found on your own and a story about one crazy customer you had at work.
If you won’t see your partner for months at a time, you’ll have to think about the relationship in the long term. You two need to agree wholeheartedly on what you want now and where things are headed because you’ll be making plans far in advance. Questions and comments such as “What Court Street eatery are you most excited to try?” or “You could play your Switch and I could write my essay while laying at College Green together!” make visits seem closer. You can always look forward to that eventual reunion no matter what bad may be going on.
When you do see each other again, the sexual tension will be off the charts. You and your partner can finally hold and kiss each other among other things. The last thing you want is for your roommate to come home anytime soon.
The door opens for steamy texts or phone sex. You get an opportunity to try things you and your partner haven’t thought of before. Now, it’s less awkward to include toys or fantasies during intimate times because your partner won’t feel replaced.
However, the distance makes you realize that your feelings for your partner isn’t just lust for their body. You two have a real connection based around emotional intimacy and good conversation. This helps other common problems in relationships because you’ll know how to address problems and work them out.
The distance helps you and your partner explore common interests in a new way. A couple who loves music can make a shared Spotify playlist for those dope songs you desperately need the other person to love and listen to on repeat. Likewise, gamers can actually play online without actually being in the same room.
Being away from you partner gives you the space and time to grow as a person and have your own life. You’ll have plenty of time for friends, class assignments and hobbies. It’s important in any relationship to not morph into the same person as your partner and having a LDR ensures that won’t happen.
Meghan Morris is a sophomore studying journalism with a focus in news and information at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. How do you keep your LDR alive? Let Meghan know by tweeting her @marvelllousmeg.
