Long Distance Relationships Essay Samples

Happy couples are everywhere; we see them holding hands at the small, stealing kisses in line at the movie theaters, and buying gifts for one another in shops. It would seem that love is all around us. But what of the couples who live separately? How happy are they? Long distance relationships are becoming more common among couples than they were previously. One partner may have to go away for school or work; the two may even meet online, or one may have to move to care for a sick relative. While these motivations are noble, what is the impact that distance has on a relationship? There are many negative aspects to it, but a few positive ones, as well.
Distance and being away from a partner for long periods is difficult for many to cope with; it can create strain. The couple misses one another, and often feels like the other is missing out on their life. Distance can swiftly create insecurity in many relationships. Without a solid foundation of trust, it is easy for one party to assume, after a few unanswered texts or phone calls, that the other is losing interest. The mention of a new name, a member of the opposite sex, can spark jealousy in a partner, as well. Whether it is jealousy over a co-ed interaction or jealousy that other’s get to spend time with their partner while they do not depend entirely on the couple. The couple’s closeness may also suffer. Due to scheduling conflicts the couple may not be able to talk often, or even every day. In a long distance relationship, conversation is all you have, and without it the relationship may begin to fall apart, not to mention the practicality of cost to see one another. This can cause stress on the couple that will undoubtedly filter into a relationship, causing a strain on an already taxing situation.
Fortunately, distance does not only impact a relationship negatively. Some couples come out of a long distance portion of their relationship stronger and happier than others. As mentioned before, in a long distance relationship, communication is all you have. Many couples use this time as an opportunity to learn how to communicate better with one another; it is one thing that can always be improved. Long distance relationships can also, surprisingly, be a time for romance. Being a part does not have to mean you are disconnected. Many couples use this time to expand their romantic prowess by sending love letters, care packages, cute emails, or having Skype dates. Cell phones now offer FaceTime as well, which can put you in a face-to-face conversation with your loved one with the tap of a button. Gifts can be bought online and delivered to a loved one’s front doorstep for anniversaries, birthdays, or holidays that may be missed. Couples in long distance relationships also often learn to appreciate the time they have together. A weekend once a month, sometimes less, is very precious. Each second matters; and when a couple is reunited, all of the communication techniques, the romantic gestures, and the sweet moments spent together only serve to make the relationship stronger.
In sum, being long distance can take a toll on any relationship. It can present many issues that couples may not have even known existed, such as trust and insecurity. Without a solid foundation of trust, the relationship may fail. If a couple is unable to communicate, they will fail. Jealousy, stress, and the cost of seeing one another may also present issues in a relationship. However, long distance relationships also allow couples to learn how to communicate better. Each couple can flex their ability to be sweet and romantic from afar, and they have a chance to learn that our time together is limited and precious. When entering a long distance relationship, the impact it has on the couple boils down to how committed the two people are to having the relationship work and how optimistic or pessimistic they want to be about the situation.