How to Make Long Distance Relationships Work

Long-distance relationships are steadily becoming more common and popular. The Internet makes it easy to meet new people and form a relationship, even when living in another state or, sometimes, another country. In addition, many soldiers are overseas, with wives, husbands, girlfriends and boyfriends back home. Our world is becoming more global, and as a result, so are our relationships. That creates a problem because when you don't see someone often or for a long time, it becomes harder to maintain the relationship.

Instructions

1. Establish the parameters for the relationship. Agree on relationship rules. If you're in a long-distance relationship, it's important to find out where one another stands on certain things, like dating other people and willingness to move if the relationship becomes serious. Some people feel that because it's a long distance relationship, they can be dating someone else at the same time, but someone else might consider it an exclusive relationship. By establishing that early on in the relationship, you avoid problems later.

2. Communicate every day–through instant messaging, over the phone, through email. This lets you talk about your day, discuss any problems, and just remind one another that you care. Discuss before you are separated how often you want to talk on the phone, whether that's three times a week, daily or a few times a day. Even if you don't talk on the phone, communicate somehow. Since you're not seeing one another, other things have to fill that space.

3. Work on trust. Trust is probably the hardest part of a long-distance relationship. You don't know what the other person is doing, you can't see him and that may scares you. Work on trusting the other person by talking about everything–your sex life and desires, plans for the future. The superficial things, though they might add up if you don't get answers, won't accomplish anything in the long run. It's important to not micromanage the other person's time, while talking to him about your concerns, your feelings and what you want out of the relationship.

4. Send surprise packages. Whether you choose to send homemade cookies, an expensive cologne or perfume you know your significant other likes, a care package, or a photo album with pictures of the two of you, find something to send. Photo frames that record and repeat messages are a great idea–your picture telling your significant other how much you miss or love her is a great addition to a hotel, apartment or empty home.

5. Schedule visits. The time you spend seeing one another makes the time you're apart seem shorter. Make it something special, where neither of you has other responsibilities or commitments. This is important because the time you spend together is much more important than the time you spend on the phone–touching one another, holding hands and remembering how the other person smells (the strongest sense when it comes to memory).

Tips & Warnings

• Schedule a time to talk, both on the phone or online, but also send random emails or even letters by snail mail.

• It will not be easy, but by talking and being open with one another, you can make it work.