A year ago at this time, I was getting very nervous to start my freshman year of college. I am from Michigan and my school is in Georgia and I was terrified to be in a new place with only one friend (my fantastic friend I'd known since middle school). I had never even visited the school and I was going in completely blind. Luckily, my fears went away almost immediately. I loved the school and the city. I made a friend the the first day I stayed at school. This friend ended up becoming my boyfriend about half way through the school year. Unfortunately, due to our schools national popularity, we're both from different states. As I said earlier, I'm in Michigan, while he is in Oregon. So here I am a year later, wanting nothing more than to be back in the city I love with the person I love. You really don't realize how long summer is until you're away from your favorite person for the entirety of it.

The night before we had to go home for summer break, I was a mess. I cried, one of those ugly cried where my makeup was smearing and there was snot dripping from my nose. So lovely, I know. I'd be lying if I said that was the last time I cried over being away from him, because I have plenty of times since I've been home. The three hour time difference is pretty awful. I'll stay up until 2 a.m. without realizing it because I'm talking to him, he'll wake up when I'm well into my day. Sometimes we can't even find time to talk because the time difference is so difficult. We make it happen though, we Skype at least once a week and always find time to chat over text. Thanks to modern technology, we can practically be together at the touch of a button (which still of course does not replace actually being together).

The summer is drawing to an end and we're both thrilled we'll be able to see each other soon. It has been hard of course, but it hasn't impacted our relationship negatively at all. Since I've been home I've had several people ask "are you gonna pick it back up when you get back in the fall?" This question has always puzzled me because we never "put it down". He and I both intended to remain together and love each other just as much, after all it's only three months. Neither of us worry that the other is being unfaithful because that's just ridiculous, but that seems to be what a lot of people insinuate to couples in long distance relationships. I don't need to know what he's doing every second or who he's with because I trust him, and he trusts me. If you treat your significant other with respect and like a human being, then there's nothing to worry about while you're away from each other.

If you are ever fearful of pursuing someone you like because it means being in a long distance or partially long distance relationship, don't let it hold you back. As cliche as this sounds, love truly is stronger than distance. If you really love someone then it shouldn't matter what physically keeps you apart, only what draws you together mentally and spiritually. I know that my boyfriend and I have grown stronger as partners because of this time apart, and I cant wait to see how we grow when we are together again in Georgia.