You can't really understand what it's like to be in a long distance relationship until you're actually in one. Whether it be five hours, 424 miles, or three connecting flights away: it sucks. And it sucks for a million and one reasons. It's scary and it's hard, but it's worth it.

After my first year of college ended, my boyfriend of seven months and I had to go our separate ways and move back to our homes for the summer. This put us 436 miles apart rather than a fifteen-minute walk from each others' dorms. No more meeting for dinner on campus. No more late night studying in the library and with our cups of coffee and snacks. No more walks together in front of Old Main. No more Louis C.K. episodes together. And no more seeing each other in person for every day. Instead, we were a phone call away or in reality–a seven-hour drive.

I honestly believe that long distance relationships are different for everyone. Some couples like their space and like to have their independence while maintaining that small connection. For others, like me, it's likely that it will be incredibly hard.

They're not there whenever to come hang out. There are no dates for weeks at a time. They're just not there and it sucks. You sometimes wonder if they're going to realize they're happy without you and don't miss you. Or it's in the back of your mind that they may find the urge to cheat, even if that's never crossed your mind once before. You just can't be there with them whenever you want to, and it's difficult. You get envious of people who get to see them every day You can't go up from behind them and squeeze them and rest your cheek against their back. You can't look them in the eye over dinner and tell them that you love them. You can't hold their hand in the car. Rather, you text them while they're grabbing food by themselves or with friends and you wish you were the one with them. Or you're face-timing for one hour after they've worked a long day and then you have to get off the phone to shower and go to bed. And then you may even cry yourself to sleep because you feel like something is missing from your heart or chest and you don't get it back until you see them again.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm incredibly grateful for technology because it allows me to talk to my s.o. whenever I want to (unless he's working), and I'm able to see him while talking to him. But that's nowhere close to the same thing as actually being with them. Nothing compares to the warmth of their hugs and the sound of their voice telling you goodnight.

I'd also like to take this moment to commend all the military wives and husbands for your sacrifice of being without your husband or wife while they're serving our country. I don't know how you do it for months at a time, but you deserve a medal and I thank you for your bravery.

Anyways, don't even get me started on the good-byes. So. Many. Tears.

But the best part about being apart, is when you're finally together again. You can run to their arms and just hold them there for five minutes. And when you let go, you know they're not going anywhere, at least not for a few days. You get to hold their hand in the car and look at them across the table at dinner and hear their laugh from the other room because you're obnoxiously singing in the kitchen.

Being in a long distance relationship is a bittersweet way to be in one, but it beats not being together at all. And here's a few tips if you're about to be in one as you go off to college.

Communicate as much as you need to and as much as your partner needs you to. Be honest with your feelings. If you're sad and you miss them, let them know. Plan the next time you'll see each other so you have something to look forward to. Make time to call them at the end of the day and make little notes about your day that you can talk to them about. This helps you and them feel closer when they're far. Pray about your relationship and ask God to help give you the strength to carry on and be courageous when you're apart. Also, pray for their safety and your own. Nothing is scarier than thinking about losing them while you're apart.

Above all, keep the faith in your relationship. It's an incredible thing to be so far apart but to still be able to keep your trust, commitment, happiness, support, respect and love.

Long distance isn't forever, but your relationship could be, and that's worth something.