by Maria Yanicki

Created on: July 29, 2011   Last Updated: July 30, 2011

The idea of long-distance dating would scare most people at the idea of it. There is a lack o physical intimacy, and not all of us are accustomed to video camming or phone sex for our lustful, intimate nights. But relationships, in my opinion aren't about the great sex. Might be a part of it, but it's not everything and any true relationship should be able to weather through the lack of it for however long it takes.

Any relationship worth your time is based on mutual respect and trust, and it's not very different for long-distance relationships. Trust is much more emphasized because of the distance and cheating might be a higher likelihood, but if your partner truly loves you, cheating shouldn't happen. There might be that slip in which they crave physical affection and there happens to be a friend or acquaintance nearby who freely offers it, but I find the first time it's easiest for forgive and move on. If you find out that he/she has done it again, perhaps it might be time to talk to them, but if they truly love you, usually you will see a renewed determination to stay faithful.

It's true, long distance relathionships aren't easy, especially with how hard relationships face-to-face can be at times. But if your love and trust is strong enough, I believe that you certainly can weather it out until it comes time to make an effort to change the circumstances and make a mutual decision to be together. One of you might get doubts about whether it will work, especially after an extended period of time of not seeing each other. But you should consider the people whose husbands or boyfriends are out fighting in Iraq or somewhere, and they're more than willing to wait until he comes back. They probably have their doubts about whether the distance will work, and yet some of them see it through until h comes home to them.

Sometimes, absence does make the heart grow fonder. And in some cases, absence makes the heart go yonder, but let's try and give him/her the benefit of the doubt and make the relationship work until you can see each other face-to-face, whether for the first time or once again. You'll both be stronger for it, and so will your relationship, in the end. (And try and keep it going when you do see him/her face-to-face. I would hate for you to be disappointed after all that time of waiting.)

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