Long-distance relationships are (thankfully) becoming less and less taboo. Thanks to wonderful technological advancements and the uprising of the Digital Age, long-distance relationships, and communication in general, has become worlds easier than, say, twenty years ago when the "cell phone" was basically a brick with an antennae attached to the end of it. Being in a long-distance relationship has it's perks, but it also has it's unfortunate, yet obvious, cons. Here are a few pros and cons I've discovered through my journey with my boyfriend, Niklas, who is 4,000 miles away in Germany.

Pros

1. Interdependence

Being hundreds or thousands miles away from your significant other can really make one think about where they are at in their life and where they want to be in the future. Living on the other side of the world from my sweetheart has giving me the time to think about my goals and how I want to achieve them. I've learned to manage my time with as a full-time college student and employee as well as take part as an active member in my family.

2. Trust Develops

This may sound like the opposite of what you've heard about LDR's, but when you don't see your partner for a significant amount of time, you are forced to trust that he/she is doing the right thing when you're not there. A lot of this trust develops because of interdependence. Both of you are doing your own thing while also making sure the other is happy and loved, which brings me to my next point -

3. You Know It's Special

You know you have a special bond with somebody when you decide to take the chance and continue being a part of eachother's lives miles away from one another. Deciding whether or not your want to risk being alone, constantly thinking about somebody, and feeling like you have an imaginary relationship is a big step to take in a relationship. Trusting yourself and your partner to pull through and continue loving each other.

4. $$$

Dinner, movies, gas, spontaneous purchases for him/her just because...these things can add up to be a lot of moolah you're spending on your hunny! When you live hundreds of miles away from each other you don't have the option to go out on frequent dates to the movies or to your favorite restaurants. This may seem like a downside to long-distance relationships (it sometimes can be), but the amount of money you save without even realizing it is fantastic! Yes, it will cost quite a bit more to travel to wherever your loved one is to see them, but hey, it's sort of like a vacation at the same time!

This small list of pros may not seem like much, but there are plenty of other good things one can discover while dating somebody across the world! Most of the extra things are ones you find on your own in your personal experience with a LDR. You find small traits in your partner that you otherwise would not see if you two were together all the time. You cherish those special moments that you do see each other over Skype or hear their voice during a phone call.

Cons

1. No Physical Interaction

Need I say more?

2. Time Differences

One of the biggest challenges in an LDR is the difference in time between you and your loved one. You may wake up seven hours before the other does, and have to spend that seven hours thinking about when the other might wake up and whether or not you should send that double text - even though you know they won't answer for another few hours. One of you may spend your nights without the other to talk to because he/she is already asleep.

3. Missing Special Occasions

Not being able to spend anniversaries, birthdays, or holidays with the only one you really want to spend those special days with can be discouraging. Mariah Carey's tune "All I Want For Christmas Is You" has never been so relatable. Sure, there are care packages and websites where you can order special gifts for a far-away friend, but no picture frame, LoveBook, or hand-written letter could replace the feeling you get when you're in the one you love's arms.

4. $$$

Yes, money is on both the pros and cons list. Although you may not be spending money on spontaneous dates, flowers, etc. it is likely that a nice chunk of money you make will be going towards plane tickets and UPS packages. Depending on how far away you two are from each other, plane tickets can get pretty expensive, and if you're staying for a while a plane ticket isn't the only thing you'll have to buy. There's spending money, visas, extra clothes (weather-pending), anything that you think you'll need for your travels, you'll probably need more. So start saving!

Now that I have expressed (only) a few pros and cons of being in a long-distance relationship, but like most things, one can only know the roller coaster ride that is an LDR by being in one. Thankfully there is a wide community of people from all around the world who are also experiencing the wonderful ups-and-downs distance gives us and they are just a few clicks away! It isn't hard to find this fantastic support system through your laptop or cell phone. Long-distance relationships are hard. Nobody will deny that and they're not for everyone, but if you and your partner can make it through distance, you can virtually make it through anything!