Long distance relationships are the absolute worst possible scenario you could ever live through... and, if that is what you believe, then good luck making that relationship work. Having been in a long distance relationship throughout my entire college career, I can honestly say it's not that bad. Like anything, it has its ups and downs.

Why not focus on the ups?

1. You're not one of those couples.

You all know that one pair who is all over one another. They can’t do anything without each other and are constantly gushing over how wonderful their relationship is. When you are in a long distant relationship, you never have to worry about the stares of disgust and annoyance from those who aren’t in a relationship. Instead, you secretly envy that couple and wish so badly that people gave you those stares.

2. You get to be independent.

After being in a relationship for so long, you can become very dependent on your significant other, you start to wonder who you are without them. Would you survive on your own? Long distance gives you that chance to find out, and you are able to re-discover yourself. You get to be independent and find your own way. After all, that’s why you got into a relationship in the first place, right?

3. Your communication skills are awesome!

Communication is key in making any relationship work, and in a long distance relationship you really have to put in the extra effort. If you and your significant other aren't on the same page, then that's when problems start to arise. So make sure you make time to spend hours facetiming, skyping, texting, and calling each other. And nothing is more romantic than kisses through the screen or letting your significant other know how excited you are over the phone.

4. You earn so many points from Southwest.

Living in two different places allows you to become frequent flyers, and you get to rack up those points for future flights! However, flights cost a great deal of money. You don't know whether to be extrememly happy to be seeing your partner or whether to cry on the airplane at how broke you are. You always choose to be happy, of course, because who knows when you will get to see each other again!

5. Reuniting is the best feeling in the world!

You both long for that first hug and kiss after being separated for months. You feel instant happiness and affection that you just weren’t getting through technology. As you are still hugging and practically crying at the airport gate, you realize you are that couple. But, you couldn’t care less, because you are finally that couple! You secretly hope those people staring are jealous of your relationship for once.

6. Every moment spent together is special.

You have been apart from each other for so long that you want to spend every waking moment together while you have the chance. You’re so happy to be with your significant other that even watching him/her blow his/her nose is a special occasion. It’s really the little things that you miss the most, but, nevertheless, every minute is perfect and irreplaceable.

7. It’s all perfectly imperfect in the end.

No matter how far away you are from each other, the bond and love shared between you is unwavering because you wouldn’t be in a long distant relationship if you hadn’t found 'the one.' You found your soul mate, your best friend, and your other half. You wouldn’t change that for the world.

Long distance relationships aren’t a sign that the relationship is doomed. People who fail to see that all relationships take hard work, patience, love, and understanding is what causes their demise. Don't ever let distance ruin a great relationship. Then again, if you’re with the right person, distance won’t ever play a factor in the equation.