When my boyfriend and I committed to universities over 700 miles apart, the inevitable final goodbye loomed over us for the final months of our senior year and into the summer. Staying together was a no-brainer for us, but the future was uncertain. I've heard many stories of failed long-distance relationships and have been advised to "keep my options open," but in my heart, I knew I had to stay with Connor, and so far it's been great. When Connor and I said our final goodbyes, I cried for days and thought that leaving him would be the end of the world, but now that we're into the groove of our college lives, I've realized that a long-distance relationship isn't so bad. Surely this type of relationship has its flaws, but here are a few reasons why I believe Connor and I have such a healthy relationship even across the hundreds of miles that are keeping us apart.

We have a long history together 

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In a recent conversation, Connor and I found out that we've been together for over 10% of our lives, and I believe all that time spent together has better prepared us for a long-distance relationship. Like any couple, we've had our highs and lows, but all of those experiences have strengthened our relationship and have made it easier to have open, honest conversations with each other.

We take care of each other

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Whether it's a simple text or a surprise package in the mail, I always know Connor is here for me whenever I need him through his little acts of kindness. We both make an effort to check in with each other every now and then and have a mutual understanding that we are willing to make availability for each other when one of us is struggling. Although some of these acts may seem irrelevant, it's nice to be reminded that we truly care about each other's well-being and have a safe space to discuss things that are occupying our minds.

We make time for one another

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Even through the craziness of college classes, social events, and activities, Connor and I always make sure to set aside time for each other. After a long day, it's so nice to hear his voice and talk to someone who knows me better than most of my college peers do. The reality of a long-distance relationship is that we don't get to see each other as much as we did before, but instead of dwelling on the time we don't have together, Connor and I cherish every moment we get to share whether it's a brief FaceTime call or periodic visit to each other's schools.

We respect each other's time and space

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Despite wanting to take up every opportunity we have to talk to each other, sometimes we just need time to focus on ourselves in order to get through stressful or hectic situations, and that's completely ok! Connor and I have mutual respect for each other's time and obligations; we know that the moments we need to dedicate towards improving our college lives is important, so we are understanding when one of us can't be around to have a conversation. Having this kind of respect and understanding has helped us avoid unnecessary conflict and shows how we are willing to make sacrifices in order to help each other succeed in our college lives.

We cheer each other on

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Going from sharing every experience together to hardly any at all is a strange feeling, but nevertheless, Connor and I are genuinely happy for each other and the new lives we're starting on our own. We're both busy doing our own things and growing as individuals, and I find that so amazing; what's even better is that when we need encouragement or want to celebrate our successes, we know we'll have each other every step of the way.

We genuinely love each other

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More than anything else, pure love is what keeps our relationship so healthy! No words can describe the joy I feel when I'm with Connor, and that is such a beautiful thing. We just love being around each other, and beneath the romance lies a foundation of friendship that is irreplaceable. No matter what, I always know that Connor has faith me and I in him. There's certainly a long road ahead of us, but I have all the confidence in the world that things will work out, and I am truly grateful to experience a kind of love that can be felt over hundreds of miles and still flourishes even in physical absence.