Being in a long distance relationship isn’t like the movies. Your partner probably can’t hop on a plane or a train and surprise you at your house. They probably won’t be showing up on your front lawn, dropping their bags just for you to run and jump into their arms. Long distance relationships are hard. You may go weeks, months, or even a year without seeing your best friend. If you do get the chance to see them, it can be extremely costly. Plane tickets are not cheap, neither are train tickets. Depending on how far away you two are, you could drive –– but that means gas money. There’s no way around it –– long distance relationships will test your love in more ways than you thought you could handle.

Time zones, work schedules, and all sorts of commitments get in the way of FaceTime dates or phone calls. Communication is a crucial part of long distance relationships-- without it, your relationship will undoubtedly crash and burn. Harsh, right? Well, it’s true. I can’t tell you how many times I’d run to my phone when I heard it ring due to the hope of it being a text from my boyfriend. A simple text message in the morning in a long distance relationship is a huge deal. For a couple that is much closer in proximity, you could easily drive over (or even roll over in bed) to say good morning.

Your faith in the relationship and each other will be tested. Summer is supposed to be a time of free and easy living, hanging out with your friends, and enjoying their company. However, it’s not easy to go through these stress-free months when you have no idea what your partner is up to. This is when jealousy has a way of kicking in and has the ability to destroy your relationship. This part of a long distance relationship is exceedingly challenging. It is essential to have the utmost trust in your partner. Not knowing who they’re with or what they’re doing is quite trying. Trust in your partner is essential in any long distance relationship.

It takes a strong couple to make it through the distance, and the time, apart. The distance between my boyfriend and me was 1,500 miles. That meant two planes, a two-hour drive to one airport and an hour drive to the other. We went three months without seeing each other and it was undoubtedly the most challenging and trying experience.

Many college couples experience long periods apart when they go home for the summer months. It’s not always as simple as driving to your partner to see them. Whether you’re an hour away or several states apart, distance will test any relationship. I know that the time away from my boyfriend was a learning experience for the both of us. We grew as a couple and developed an even stronger bond. The test of time and distance is more than worth it when you and your partner are reunited. Seeing my boyfriend after all that time apart was the most rewarding moment I’d ever experienced.

To all of the long distance couples out there, just know that it’s possible to get through this. It won’t be easy by any means. However, if you can make it through the distance, you can make it through just about anything. You will both come out of it as stronger people and an even stronger couple.