Hello All!
I'm looking for advice on a very challenging subject: showing affection over the miles during a long distance relationship. My partner and I are very different people, but our differences have always brought us closer together...in my opinion we are the prime example of "opposites attract!" However, since I had to move for work and we've started a long distance relationship, I've been struggling with one major difference between the two of us. When it comes to showing affection, he and I are very different. I've always been more affectionate verbally while he relies more on action. He loves to cuddle, hug me and help me with my everyday tasks. Whenever I have a problem he is the first to jump in with tangible assistance, whether it's fixing a broken fridge or bringing me food when I'm hungry. He's a man of action...but his words are lacking. He rarely compliments me, struggles to flirt and thinks using pet names is strange. When we were together physically, this was never a problem. I could always see his love through his actions and, though he wouldn't flirt with me on public or say cute things, he would proudly hold my hand on dates and kiss me in front of others. I never felt like the affection between us was lacking.
Now, however, it is much harder for me because we are not together physically. We text everyday and talk on the phone once or twice a week, but I feel like a lot of that affection isn't there. I know so much of the problem is that my partner can't show his affection physically, and I respect this. But, without verbal or physical affection, I feel like a lot of what we once had is harder to maintain. I've talked to him about this before and I've asked if there's any way he can start showing more affection over text and, so far, he's tried without success. I just wish he would call me a pet name or tell me small compliments, but I feel like all we're capable of is mindless small talk. I don't want to change who he is, but I honestly don't know how I can continue without affection the entire time we're apart. I love him and I know he loves me....but long distance isn't conducive to our difference in love languages.
Is there anyone else who has similar problems? Or, is there any advice on how to (politely and respectfully) ask your partner to be more affectionate verbally? Any advice is welcome! Thank you so much!
I'm looking for advice on a very challenging subject: showing affection over the miles during a long distance relationship. My partner and I are very different people, but our differences have always brought us closer together...in my opinion we are the prime example of "opposites attract!" However, since I had to move for work and we've started a long distance relationship, I've been struggling with one major difference between the two of us. When it comes to showing affection, he and I are very different. I've always been more affectionate verbally while he relies more on action. He loves to cuddle, hug me and help me with my everyday tasks. Whenever I have a problem he is the first to jump in with tangible assistance, whether it's fixing a broken fridge or bringing me food when I'm hungry. He's a man of action...but his words are lacking. He rarely compliments me, struggles to flirt and thinks using pet names is strange. When we were together physically, this was never a problem. I could always see his love through his actions and, though he wouldn't flirt with me on public or say cute things, he would proudly hold my hand on dates and kiss me in front of others. I never felt like the affection between us was lacking.
Now, however, it is much harder for me because we are not together physically. We text everyday and talk on the phone once or twice a week, but I feel like a lot of that affection isn't there. I know so much of the problem is that my partner can't show his affection physically, and I respect this. But, without verbal or physical affection, I feel like a lot of what we once had is harder to maintain. I've talked to him about this before and I've asked if there's any way he can start showing more affection over text and, so far, he's tried without success. I just wish he would call me a pet name or tell me small compliments, but I feel like all we're capable of is mindless small talk. I don't want to change who he is, but I honestly don't know how I can continue without affection the entire time we're apart. I love him and I know he loves me....but long distance isn't conducive to our difference in love languages.
Is there anyone else who has similar problems? Or, is there any advice on how to (politely and respectfully) ask your partner to be more affectionate verbally? Any advice is welcome! Thank you so much!
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