During my five-year marriage, my husband and I have been apart three times for more than two months at a time. I am happy to report that our relationship has survived, and our love for each other has even been solidified.
While my husband has missed out on home-cooked meals, he has been an active participant in our long-distance love.
Askmen.com states that "at the 40 day mark, you may start to feel the loss of companionship. So, fight it."
When you are separated, you may feel the loneliness which may translate into boredom, anxiety and frustration. But there are some things you can do to counter these feelings, as well as make your partner part of your faraway adventure.
For example, we all know that a picture speaks a thousand words. Take pictures daily of your walk to the office or class, your hotel or apartment, your meals, and other details of life. Send them to your significant other every day to make them feel like they are with you.
When visiting Prague this summer, I took pictures of the neighborhood. But, I also took snapshots of my tram rides and my favorite cafés. The photo journey allowed my husband to experience my morning activities.
Also, set up a designated time for Skype or Facetime. Occasionally the time difference will not allow you to communicate every day. However, with free wifi just about everywhere, you can set up a time at almost any location in the world.
On Friday afternoons, I’d find a restaurant or museum to talk to my husband. Again, this gave him the feeling that he was included in my journey overseas. He also loved when I’d take my iPad and do a scan of the museum or garden.
Everyone loves mail and it is like Christmas when you open the mailbox to find a postcard from a faraway destination. So, buy a bunch of postage and postcards on your first day. When you have a free moment, write a brief note to tell your loved one how much you miss them and you are thinking of them.
When I returned from one of my trips, I saw a stack of postcards on my husband’s desk. He looked at them every day. He said this also acted as a countdown to my return home.
Call and text your significant other as a supplement to the other forms of communication listed above. Relationships are work. But remember, special communication during your temporary separation makes your significant other feel connected. It allows your love to expand, even if you are separated by miles of land or sea.
For those apart for more than a year, it is a great idea to see each other at least six times during that separation. So sign up for a frequent-flier program and start carving out your vacation time.
Sources:
"Long-distance Love May Be Stronger than You Think, New Study Says."TODAY. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
http://www.today.com/health/long-distance-love-may-be-stronger-you-think-new-study-6C10660702
"How To Make A Long-Distance Relationship Work." AskMen. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
http://www.askmen.com/dating/curtsmith/long-distance-love.html
Reviewed February 26, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith