I’m sure you have heard that long distance relationship don’t work, are too painful and most of all are extremely hard. Well, I promise no one lied. They are hard.

There is no denying that missing the person you love is incredibly challenging. But, at the same time a long distance relationship has it’s advantages and “like anything worth having, you make it work” (Leona Lewis).

Here are the 5 things I have learned from being 1,011 miles away from the person I love.

1. The distance is not permanent.

You may think that the miles will last forever and sometimes it may even feel that way but truthfully the distance will come to an end. The day that you and your partner have been waiting for forever is only a few steps into the future and will come before you know it. You have to remember to remind yourselves that the seemingly endless length of time that you have to be apart from one another gets shorter and shorter each and every day.

2. You will always have something to look forward to.

From the second you say your goodbyes you will be counting down the minutes until you see each other next. Weeks and sometimes months may go by that you won't get the chance to be face to face with one another but the one thing that will get you through all those days will be the thought of seeing the one that means the most. Nothing compares to the “finally” feeling that you get when reuniting with your best friend. It’s like falling in love all over again and these little moments are things that you learn to cherish and no longer take for granted.

3. You must put in equal effort.

Being apart means that together you have to work twice as hard. Consistently giving each other all the love and care you have is key to making long distance work. You can't let a number of miles get in between your relationship and you must accept the days of tears that your distance will bring. You must commit and put the work in everyday, 24/7.

4. Communicate. Always.

I promise you that Facetime will become your new best friend. Keeping each other up to date and talking to each other about the good and the bad everyday will keep your love alive. Don't you think they’d love to know that they’re the first thing you think about in the morning? Sometimes it’s the little things like the “I miss you” texts or “I love you” calls that makes the day just a little better and makes you just a little happier.

5. Your love and relationship grow.

You and your relationship will grow in ways you could never have imagined and its all due to the strength that the two of you have built through your experience of committing to your long distance relationship. Time together will earn it’s value and time apart will learn it’s worth and as your love for one another continues to grow, you both will realize that the long distance will work.

~~Thank you, my long distance relationship for allowing me to be who I am, you truly are worth every inch of every mile.~~