| In today's world long distance relationships are | | | | with that communication. |
| becoming increasingly commonplace. In reality there | | | | Additionally, if you are not committed to the |
| are two major types of long distance relationships; | | | | relationship it will be very easy to look for what is |
| the ones where the couple meet online or a cyber | | | | missing in your relationship with a person that is |
| relationship, and the ones that involve a traditional | | | | physically present. When you are in love with |
| couple in which one partner or another moves away. | | | | someone that is miles away they cannot be there to |
| Although these types of relationships come with their | | | | hold your hand when you want them to or to |
| own unique challenges it is possible to make them | | | | embrace you when you need it. All the little nuances |
| work. | | | | of touching and communicating through physical |
| The key elements needed for such relationships are | | | | contact will be missing from the relationship. |
| as follows: | | | | Communication will be essential to maintaining that |
| 1) Trust | | | | relationship. I suggest that ground rules be established |
| 2) Commitment | | | | early on related to how often and how you will |
| 3) Communication | | | | communicate with each other. You should share |
| Obviously if you have trust issues matters will only | | | | information about your daily life as well as anything |
| be worse with a long distance relationship. I suggest | | | | special that happens. Remember that your partner, |
| that you work at managing those issues before | | | | although miles away, is still your significant other. |
| attempting a long distance relationship. Jealousy can | | | | Share, share, and share some more! |
| prove to be your worst enemy when dealing with | | | | Planning meetings should be on-going. This gives you |
| such situations. In fact, encouraging independence in | | | | something to talk about and look forward to. |
| your partner is wise. | | | | Cyber-relationships should include a planned meeting |
| This is not to say that you should encourage your | | | | within the first several weeks. After all, you need to |
| partner to pursue activities that might result in | | | | know if there is a physical chemistry between the |
| unfaithfulness but you should encourage him or her | | | | two of you. |
| to pursue hobbies, etc. After all, they have to spend | | | | Long distance relationships can work but they must |
| their time doing something. Perhaps the two of you | | | | receive attention and dedication required to keep |
| can pursue a new hobby at the same time. That | | | | them going. Both partners will need to be emotionally |
| would add to the things you can talk about and build | | | | mature enough to accept that patience is key to the |
| another bond. | | | | success of their relationship. They will also need to |
| All successful relationships require a level of | | | | plan how the relationship will progress if the love |
| commitment. Long distance relationships demand that | | | | continues. For example, will one partner be expected |
| commitment. In order to sustain a relationship with a | | | | to move to a new city leaving behind a job, friends, |
| partner that lives someplace else you will need to | | | | and family? By addressing these issues early the |
| commit to finding the time to communicate regularly | | | | partners can face them head on when they are |
| and often. But without a true commitment to the | | | | forced to. |
| relationship it will be less important to you to stick | | | | |