Long distance relationships can be tough. Whether it's meeting someone that lives far away or a person in the relationship needing to move away for a period of time. There are positives and negatives to everything in the world, and I am here to deliver the 5 things that make it so worth it and the 5 things that makes things more complicated. I will start with the pros of long distance relationships, which I must add, GREATLY outweigh the cons! A few fun facts before I start: 25% to 50% of college students are in a LDR at any given time.

PROS:

1. Everyone needs a break

Being in a long distance relationship means that you must spend time away from your partner. It is always nice to have some time alone and away from your significant other. While sometimes the amount of time is not idea, everybody needs a break at some point. Being far apart at times means you won’t get sick of each other. This also allows you to cherish the times that you do have together more and greatly helps you NOT take advantage of it, which leads me to #2.

2. Time is much, much more valuable

After being apart for a while, you will beg to have that time back when the two of you were doing homework and hanging out. The feeling of being together will feel better than it normally would. Every time you finally meet up again it will feel like a honeymoon as the excitement builds up.

3. Excellent communication skills

Being that you cannot talk in person, the main way you communicate is probably going to texting or calling. This will lead to very strong communication skills because the context clues of being together in person are not there, so you have to learn it all from a distance. This will help build a very strong relationship, you can so easily tell when the other is upset, happy, aroused, or having a bad day.

4. Dedication

Being in a relationship with someone so far almost guarantees that you are devoted, dedicated, and in it for the long run. You would not date someone that you never saw unless you were crazy for that person, and wanted nobody else but them. There is nothing better than the feeling of being wanted from someone that is so far away. The significant other doesn’t just want your body, they want you. Long distance relationships are by far one of the most difficult things in life.

5. Intimacy

This one is pretty self-explanatory. After being apart for so long, there is nothing more you want than to kiss and be in the arms of the other person. There is no doubting that being intimate with your partner will be so much better after being apart for so long. When you're making up for all that lost time and venting all of those hormones out of you, sparks will fly.

CONS:

1. Technology sucks

You may have plans to sit down and Skype or video chat for an hour, only to find out it is down for maintenance or your internet is down. Being in the middle of a call to find out that your connection has been lost, or talking on the phone only to lose service. Technology also could be a pain if you are out with your friends for the night and your significant other is texting you and you are busy, but feel the need to reply to not upset them.

2. Jealousy/Bad thoughts

Being apart for so long, and being so far away, there are times when you will fight. Thoughts will ponder in your head about just what exactly the other person could be doing. “Oh my god, is she/he cheating on me?!” Well, there is really no sure way to tell. Trust is extremely key and wins an honorable mention on my pros list. The fact that someone else may be hanging with your special someone but you aren’t can hurt after a while also.

3. It can get expensive

Depending on just how far you are, you will be spending money on flights and gas to visit each other. On top of this, on the rare occurrences that you do each other, the whole visit ends up being a date. Taking trips together, going out to eat, and other activities.

4. Feelings of loneliness and not being wanted

It sucks when your partner is out hanging with friends and you are spending a night inside watching TV. There will be times when your significant other is busy, and you sit by the phone and wait for what seems like ages for a reply, and then find out that they simply just forgot to reply.

5. Misunderstandings and arguments

You might live in different time zones, you may text in a different style, or you may simply be having a bad day. Arguments are much harder to settle over internet, and it is much easier to ignore your partner. You may say something and mean something totally different, but they don’t realize it and get upset. All in all, you simply can’t be sitting next to the person by you and tell you how much you love them.

Long distance relationships form some of the best bonds between people, just as long as you keep communication open very often, share plans with each other, and realize how good it will be when you finally get to see them again.