Shaking and feeling nauseous, I answered “No, this is the first time we are meeting” The immigration officer interrogated me about the man I was planning on meeting, the amount of money I had access to, and making sure I would leave his country after my visa expired. While he questioned me and made my quest feel hopeless, I thought about how I am 4523 miles away from home and how a two year long dream was finally going to come true. I felt the stamp before it hit the page. I was meeting my boyfriend of two years for the first time. I ran to the bathroom and changed, I went through customs, and I took my turn to carry my suitcase down the stairs and run into the arms of the love of my life. Just like every LDR (Long Distance Relationship) couple I know, myself and my boyfriend have heard nothing, but negatives about our type of relationship. However, these relationships are on the rise.
One study done by Cornell University has shown that LDRs experience better communication. This communication is due to the lack of intimacy-we learn to communicate intimacy when there is a lack of physical touch. While there will always be stress in a LDR due to the distance, they have amazing benefits for young people. When a couple separated by distance finally gets to interact the interactions become more meaningful. The butterflies, the nerves, the laughing, and the crying all become worth the distance when they walk hand in hand into their significant others’ homes.
LDR couples learn that if they survive the distance then the rest will be easier; they can survive just about anything together. These couples are allowed independent growth and me time where others are not. Partners can idolize their partner and feel lonely, but with skype and Facebook it has become easier to talk. LDR couples learn to appreciate the little things; holding hands becomes a dream. For those that do make it past the distance the culture shock is not uncommon. Counting down the hours will no longer be the focus of conversations. They are strengthened by the distance for life and can apply it to every relationship.


Works Cited
Buchele, Grace. "9 (Exclusive) Benefits of Being in a Long Distance Relationship." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 26 Mar. 2014. Web. 10 Sept. 2014.
Evans, Megan. "Life After Long Distance: Is There Happily Ever After?" The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 09 Aug. 2013. Web. 10 Sept. 2014.
Pearson, Catherine. "Long Distance Relationship Benefits Include Greater Intimacy, Study Says." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 18 July 2013. Web. 10 Sept. 2014.