Relationships are hard; they are full of expectation setting, learning each other, growing together while still maintaining independence, challenges, arguments, and balance. They are also wonderful when; you have common interests, do things together, make accomplishments independently or as a couple, and become friends. With all this and many more pieces that go into making a relationship work it is easy to see how long distance relationships have added struggles.

The statement 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' is a beautiful sentiment in relationships today. The unfortunate truth is that after long periods of distance in relationships the statement 'out of sight out of mind' or 'what he/she doesn't know won't hurt them' is more appropriate. There are some relationships that make it work with miles, states, and even oceans between them. The key word here is work. But if you are both committed and want to spend the rest of your lives together you can make it happen; even in a long distance relationship. Here are some tips to seeing this through.

Communicate:

Communication is the corner stone to any relationship. But in long distance relationships communication is key.

Both parties have to be fully on board with the distance issue and be able to communicate this to each other. Expectations need to be set and followed. You need to agree to talk every day. You need to sometimes agree to disagree. Fighting over the phone is unpleasant and unsatisfying. Talk through your disagreements and if common ground cannot be found know when to agree to disagree. Be able to openly communicate if this is not working. Sometimes no matter how much work you put into a relationship (long distance or not) it isn't meant to be. If that becomes the case with your long distance relationship you have to be able to communicate it and accept the consequences.

Do things together:

Find ways to do things together. It may be as simple as talk on the phone while watching your favorite television show together, or eat a meal while communicating via video phone together. What you do together doesn't matter as much as making sure you still do things together. Be creative and come up with fun ways to spend time together. Set up a time every week as date night and keep that time no matter what comes up.

Visit as much as you can:

Nothing can replace being physically close to someone. A touch of your hand, taste of lips from a kiss,

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