Things I wish I thought about beforehand...
So I've traveled, via flying, to visit my boyfriend three times now. Each time I've learned something new about traveling/visiting - and they're things that some of you might find helpful.
1. As some of you might know, they're charging for luggage in the USA. You can avoid paying that extra money by packing light and fitting it all into a small suitecase and a purse/briefcase/backpack.
Unfortunately, all the liquids (toothpaste, shampoo, contact solution, etc.) have to be in bottles of 3oz or less and fit into a quart-size Ziploc bag.
If you're staying somewhere for more than a week, you might need to bring more stuff - especially clothes and liquids. Instead of buying more stuff when you get halfway through your trip, I found it helpful to send a package full of full-sized shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, and even lube. Who wants security people examining that anyway, right? Anyways, I was so glad I did this!
2. If you're not staying in a hotel, but are instead staying with someone (it may not even be your boyfriend or girlfriend), give some thought to how they live. (This seems to be more of a problem with college-age folks, by the way.) Do they have tissues in their home? How clean is it? Do they have any unspoken "house rules?"
I know this seems a little odd to think about, but trust me, it can be an unpleasant surprise if you have to stay somwhere you aren't comfortable.
For example, when I went to stay with my boyfriend and his roommates, they had two trash cans in the whole place, no tissues or papertowels or napkins, and they each used their own roll of toilet paper. Also, I'm not sure when the bathroom was last cleaned. And I had no idea just how loud his roommates were until I stayed with them.
Some of these things can't be helped, or necessarily changed - his roommates have every right to be loud in their own place, and I didn't need my boyfriend to buy another trash can just because I wanted one. Knowing before I got there would have been less stressful, though. At any rate, if I had asked my boyfriend ahead of time about some basics (paper products, cleanliness), and nicely expressed how a few adjustments would make me feel more comfortable, I know he would have accomodated me.
Some people simply haven't had much experience with house guests, so make this a learning experience for both of you! Learning how to keep your stuff neat and how to be a gracious guest is important as well.
3. Food. Most people don't have nearly as many dietary restrictions as I do - I'm a Type 1 diabetic and have an allergy to wheat. But nonetheless, putting some thought into what you'll be eating (especially for an extended stay) is important.
Will you be eating out a lot? Will you be cooking? Are there meals you won't be eating together for some reason? Is there a microwave, stove, dishwasher, etc?
Some people have an abundance of extra food, but others, like my boyfriend, live on the bare minimum. I had put some thought into this beforehand, so I asked him to pick up a few items for me, but I had no idea that he had zero snack food - no chips, no fruits or veggies, no nuts, nothing.
So make sure you know you'll have enough to eat! Nothing ruins a great trip like having a lack of food take your attention away from your lover.
1. As some of you might know, they're charging for luggage in the USA. You can avoid paying that extra money by packing light and fitting it all into a small suitecase and a purse/briefcase/backpack.
Unfortunately, all the liquids (toothpaste, shampoo, contact solution, etc.) have to be in bottles of 3oz or less and fit into a quart-size Ziploc bag.
If you're staying somewhere for more than a week, you might need to bring more stuff - especially clothes and liquids. Instead of buying more stuff when you get halfway through your trip, I found it helpful to send a package full of full-sized shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, and even lube. Who wants security people examining that anyway, right? Anyways, I was so glad I did this!
2. If you're not staying in a hotel, but are instead staying with someone (it may not even be your boyfriend or girlfriend), give some thought to how they live. (This seems to be more of a problem with college-age folks, by the way.) Do they have tissues in their home? How clean is it? Do they have any unspoken "house rules?"
I know this seems a little odd to think about, but trust me, it can be an unpleasant surprise if you have to stay somwhere you aren't comfortable.
For example, when I went to stay with my boyfriend and his roommates, they had two trash cans in the whole place, no tissues or papertowels or napkins, and they each used their own roll of toilet paper. Also, I'm not sure when the bathroom was last cleaned. And I had no idea just how loud his roommates were until I stayed with them.
Some of these things can't be helped, or necessarily changed - his roommates have every right to be loud in their own place, and I didn't need my boyfriend to buy another trash can just because I wanted one. Knowing before I got there would have been less stressful, though. At any rate, if I had asked my boyfriend ahead of time about some basics (paper products, cleanliness), and nicely expressed how a few adjustments would make me feel more comfortable, I know he would have accomodated me.
Some people simply haven't had much experience with house guests, so make this a learning experience for both of you! Learning how to keep your stuff neat and how to be a gracious guest is important as well.
3. Food. Most people don't have nearly as many dietary restrictions as I do - I'm a Type 1 diabetic and have an allergy to wheat. But nonetheless, putting some thought into what you'll be eating (especially for an extended stay) is important.
Will you be eating out a lot? Will you be cooking? Are there meals you won't be eating together for some reason? Is there a microwave, stove, dishwasher, etc?
Some people have an abundance of extra food, but others, like my boyfriend, live on the bare minimum. I had put some thought into this beforehand, so I asked him to pick up a few items for me, but I had no idea that he had zero snack food - no chips, no fruits or veggies, no nuts, nothing.
So make sure you know you'll have enough to eat! Nothing ruins a great trip like having a lack of food take your attention away from your lover.
Tea and hugs make the world go round - don't ever discount the little things in life. 
Smiling away to oneself brings an obscene amount of joy when only you know the reason why your smiling. Pick something secret to smile about and let it light up your face all day long!
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