Long Distance Relationships: Answering the Tough Questions

Can You Have a Relationship with Someone Who is Hundreds or Thousands of Miles Away?

Can you have a relationship with someone who is hundreds or thousands of miles away? The short answer of that is, unequivocally, yes you can! You can do anything that you set your mind to. That doesn't mean that it is going to be a walk in the park. In fact, it'll be just the opposite of that. But if you truly want to make it work, you can.

The key to making a long distance relationship is the same key to any relationship. Communication. You have to communicate about everything. Make sure that the other person knows exactly what you expect from them. Make sure that the other person knows exactly what you mean when you say something. Make sure that the other person tells you what they expect from you. Make sure that you always ask the other person to clarify how they feel if it could be misconstrued without seeing their face or body language.

How do you go about doing all these things without making the relationship complicated and difficult? You can't. A relationship is never easy, distance just adds a new dimension. There are, however, things that you can do to make it a bit easier.

Telephone conversations. Discuss important issues, questions and details about your relationship via the telephone. E-mail, Text Messages and Instant Messengers are great for flirting and having fun, but when it comes time for the more serious conversations, the telephone is your best friend.

The only thing that could be better for your important discussions, without actually being together in the same room, is a web cam. Coupled with either a voice chat or telephone call, you can hear the inflection in your partner's voice as well as see their body language. If you have a web cam available to you, make use of it. If you don't have one, they aren't all that pricey to purchase any more. A cheap headset microphone to go with it and you'll save yourself a lot of expensive long distance and cell phone calls in the end.